Development of politics

By Alif Zabr,Dhaka
10 August 2004, 18:00 PM
The continued non-development of politics is a hot topic of informal discussion in the drawing rooms by the voters, excluding the politicians (the approach of the latter is different). The exchanges are cold and ruthless, as critics outnumber the supporters of the bad political culture prevailing in Dhaka; specially the utter helplessness of the two major parties to set things right since the early 1990s, after the introduction of democratic voting system. The rot has set in, and it is disturbing for those who care.

There is no point in singing praise of democracy when the conditions are not mature enough to enjoy the game: the players do not follow the rules; the playing ground is not level, and there is no respect for any referee. Sometimes the boundary conditions disappear. Now violence has crept in, hence the future is not bright, to put it tersely. There is no formal agency to carry out the development projects on improving politics. Teach what to whom, and how? The question of 'freedom' comes in. In the political field, discipline is self-imposed, and self-implemented. The EC and the Speaker have different jobs. When the JS is boycotted by successive opposition parties, alarm bells start ringing, but who are supposed to carry out the rescue mission? When political power and influence are misused time and again, there is no Complaint Centre for redressing grievance (considering the one-eyed parliament). The politicians cannot get out of this vicious circle. The nation has become hostage to bad politics. How long this state of affairs can be allowed to continue?

Theoretically, certain types of forces are required to carry out this mission (getting out of the circle); some internal and some external. Extra energy is required, which has to come from some source(s). Creation of such forces (environment-al) needs particular types of generators. The latter have to be set into motion. There is no initiative forthcoming to encourage such activity. Look at the impotency of hartal calls.

The electorate (voters) have some built-in disadvantages. The majority live around the poverty line; and they reside in the rural areas. The percentage of literacy is low; as also the general standard of living (per capita income). The majority have the voice, but the minority rule and have the power. These two groups live in different worlds, with huge communication gaps.