There are different systems of governance ranging from dictatorial-democratic, communist-democratic, socialist-democratic, capitalist-democratic, Civil-war-democratic and finally Wild Wild West- Democratic where no one knows what kind of governance is at play.

Have labelled them so, because even though everyone claims to democratic, conduct the four or five yearly exercise of election, in truth no one is truly democratic. In dictatorial democracy no one votes. In communist democracy there’s no choice. In social and capitalist democracies, brainwashed voters who have been fooled with incessant barrage of propaganda and appeals to their baser instincts like race religion and colour, do vote but under influence. There’s no free or fair elections, in any part of the world. Especially in these days of social media.

Since humankind started evolving towards a life of living together in large communities, the systems of governances have been created. These systems have also been evolving and in fact are evolving faster these days with advent of science and technology.

All countries have codified their governance system into a written book or what they call Constitution. A book written by their brightest minds with genuine interest of the country and countrymen at heart. A book revered by the respective countrymen. Almost worshiped and celebrated. Followed strictly till the last alphabet. Sadly, never in essence and spirit. In some countries it’s not followed even in words.

Then there are economic systems ranging from capitalist to communist and everywhere in between. Some have no system but a day to day functionality depending on the ruler and his/her whims. Some countries keep on tinkering with their economic model and some completely change their economic model. Now these changes can partly be a response to the changing economic scenario in the world, or it can be to implement the irrelevant ideologies of the rulers and most often to create profit to the rulers.

By rulers, one means not only the leaders and their electoral organisations but also the big business, huge asset owners and the cream or the upper tiny crust of the society.

Similarly there are different kinds of societies. Based on “n” number of hierarchies. Again these hierarchies can be based on religion, race, colour, caste, economic status and so on. These hierarchies are also in a constant flux. Constantly at war with each other. With an unwritten rule that the upper tiny crust remains unchallenged all the time.

There’s a lot of good that happens in governance. That is made clearly visible in the propaganda of the rulers. Truth about which can never be verified.

Similarly, there is a lot of good that happens to the individuals in a society that we can witness on social media, in those sugary sweet posts. Truth of which again can never be verified.

In reality, nothing changes for almost 99% of population. Those in the upper crust remain in the upper crust. Those below remain in their respective layers. Very occasionally changing layers, by a stroke of luck or hard work or both combined.

Now with all this in the mind, should we venerate, glorify and worship our respective governance systems, economic models and the codified laws that have been written in that holy book that is called the constitution, that almost all countries have.

Looking back to the ancient Greek and Roman systems of governance and the violent French Revolution which uprooted nobility, one feels a sense of veneration. All these above are glorified and worshipped as the seedlings from which the present day democracy evolved. Yet, a question does come to the mind. Has anything changed. If changed then to how and to what extent. Is there a change only in appearances. Is there a change only in the level of sophistication of the governance system? A change that makes everything appear functional and beneficial to every individual of that country. Or is it a combination of all the above factors and some more ?

What will be the situation 100 or 200 or say 1000 years hence ? Will the societies and their governance systems and economic models evolve, to benefit every individual, who is part of the society and the respective country ? Or will they evolve only in appearances and sophistication while benefiting only a tiny crust that floats on the upper part of the fluid that makes up the society.

Similarly should we believe and try to preserve and propagate, superiority of religions, races, colour, castes and other entrenched social hierarchies ? Or should we not ?

Or rather bluntly put, is there anything to believe, leaving aside the romanticism and feel good protests and movements that are ephemeral and never last long enough to affect a change ?

Question one should really be asking is, when will we rise above our mundane existence and unite as human beings ?

The next question automatically arises, with the number of artificial and arbitrary differences, prejudices and biases and the overwhelming ignorance of our minds,

Is it even possible?

©️ShashikantDudhgaonkar