I have a question for the AAP supporters. What do you think about the direct democracy they want, how realistic is it really and at what fields would you personally would have a say in government politcs (be it at state or national level)?
Hello,
AAP and the myth of direct democracy.
The notorious double D
, Direct Democracy or pure democracy is one of the those terms that hold the idealistic rhetoric with mass confusion especially when it comes to executive decisions for policy, justice and central affairs.
AAP’s rhetoric doesn't suggest the holistic direct democracy, but divulging of administrative and civic infrastructure planning from central and state commissions to a more populist framework within the constitution of representative democracy.
AAP fought and won the elections in representative democracy, but the unfortunate mis-articulation, which is a case among the novice politician is being capitalized by the seasoned politicians in the English media, to try and raise fear among the literate media about AAP’s intention of altering the very definition of our tried and tested representative democracy. When AAP says direct democracy, they do not mean Dark Knight returns styled public hearing and walking on thin ice for guilty, but just divulging the authority of the counsellors and corporators of wards to Mohalla sabha.
Why is such devolution of decision making authority is needed? The answer two fold :
1> The type of people who occupy the positions of municipal councilor, Corporators and gram panchayats . These are most often relatives of the MLA’s, Zamindars in farming communities, Student Wing political cadres trying to enter main stream and sometime outright local goons trying a hand at politics as these positions as launch pad.
2> Civic/Town Infrastructure planning work is done by bureaucratic members and elected political representatives and more often than less, the actual need of people is overlooked,
The AAP’s approach is not to rid the system of it’s all it’s evil but to bypass the ineffective system and let people have a say in the system. If 10 elders in a mohalla believe that instead of a statue of a leader, a bus stand needs to be constructed then be it, these are smaller tactical decisions where management and expediting skills are needed instead of incredible finesse in political caliber. These reforms provide instant results to the problems of the common man. For more complex and specialized problems of central planning, government budget, foreign policy, defense, agriculture, power, etc, the system of respective ministries already exist and the representative leadership is already elected for it. The objective to include the people is to create better synergy of situational awareness of the aspirations of the people in this country within the existing legislative system.
AAP is not suggesting the common people as a part of direct democracy start making all complex decisions which will shape the future of the nation , instead it is suggesting is an inclusive democracy for solving problems which have been constantly overlooked by consecutive governments over the years.
I would also like to mention that devolution of power to grass root levels is not the only agenda for the AAP, it also includes other issues, There were 17 issues that the AAP decided by consensus in delhi,in other states it would be different according to local needs.... so in essence AAP’s agenda are people’s issues, and that is the difference it is bringing.
Instead of polarizing the people within caste community language and heritage, AAP is actually consolidating the issues of the people and contesting for people across the traditionally demarcated areas of interests....
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And thats how i joined engg.
