In democratic states, particularly, politics is to enlist the active support of the people. Election manifestos are to dazzle the people, who are baited by them. False promises, appeal to their sentiments, political baits, fine phrases are some of the tricks of the politicians to get the support of the people. They feed them on ready-made opinions and charming ideologies.
the opposition is outwitted. The strategic planning, out-manipulating their moves, counteracting their programmers are a part and parcel of politics. Withing the party it self the opponents are own over; posts are offered, their factions are promised representation, linguistics groups are satisfied. Person representing certain communities, certain sections and certain interests are tackled politically.
When one steers clear through these obstacles that impede, one find a smooth way to power. It is through political feelers that the responses of the people are gathered, it is through the spirit to compromise that opposition is won, it is through the art of discovering the dominant influence, that opposition is paralysed, it is through manipulating the whole affairs to one's advantage that one comes to power. Are these not the methods of politics?
Gaining political power is, of course, an art, needing the knowledge of the working of human heart, national aspirations, and national hopes and fears. If the people in power fail to conform to the wishes of the common man, fail to channelise their energies within the embankment of the national tradition, their power cannot be preserved. Gandhji, astute politician as he was, evolved a non-violent method of struggling against the colonial rule, from the cultural heritage of India.
Clearly it branches out from the experiences and aspirations, failures and triumphs of the Indians, as a nation. Had he imposed a foreign method, it would have needed adjustment particularly on the part of the people. Generally a common man is suspicious of new ideas, he is orthodox and so immune to all the novel influences. Aspirants for political power, as all politicians are, will have to defer to the wishes and aspirations of the people. Alternatively, propaganda machinery should be used to inculcate those feelings and ideologies. Politics is thus the craft of retaining power.
[ Part 1 ] [ Part 3]
the opposition is outwitted. The strategic planning, out-manipulating their moves, counteracting their programmers are a part and parcel of politics. Withing the party it self the opponents are own over; posts are offered, their factions are promised representation, linguistics groups are satisfied. Person representing certain communities, certain sections and certain interests are tackled politically.
When one steers clear through these obstacles that impede, one find a smooth way to power. It is through political feelers that the responses of the people are gathered, it is through the spirit to compromise that opposition is won, it is through the art of discovering the dominant influence, that opposition is paralysed, it is through manipulating the whole affairs to one's advantage that one comes to power. Are these not the methods of politics?
Gaining political power is, of course, an art, needing the knowledge of the working of human heart, national aspirations, and national hopes and fears. If the people in power fail to conform to the wishes of the common man, fail to channelise their energies within the embankment of the national tradition, their power cannot be preserved. Gandhji, astute politician as he was, evolved a non-violent method of struggling against the colonial rule, from the cultural heritage of India.
Clearly it branches out from the experiences and aspirations, failures and triumphs of the Indians, as a nation. Had he imposed a foreign method, it would have needed adjustment particularly on the part of the people. Generally a common man is suspicious of new ideas, he is orthodox and so immune to all the novel influences. Aspirants for political power, as all politicians are, will have to defer to the wishes and aspirations of the people. Alternatively, propaganda machinery should be used to inculcate those feelings and ideologies. Politics is thus the craft of retaining power.
[ Part 1 ] [ Part 3]
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