Social and political commentators pride themselves on their ability to analyze, dissect, expatiate and clarify social and political concepts. They present their analyses in highly technical terms irretrievably intertwined with high flown style riddled with unbridled verbosity and concatenation of conflicting ideologies and impracticable theories. The presentation of their political philosophies and knowledge is not meant to educate the larger populace unversed in politics, oblivious to Aristotle and Plato, Karl Marx and the nature of revolution and may never lay their hands on Machiavelli’s the prince or sun Tzu’s the art of war about the fundamental issues that will give insight into the vagaries and vicissitudes of politics but a grandiose exhibition of their learning, education, knowledge and a singsong inventory of their numerous researches into politics that automatically makes them unchallengeable authorities but making no meaningful impacts on the people.. They are made to understand that they are irrational but are not told that by nature they are political animals, and that they can awaken their political instincts. That is left to the few who possesses the charisma and are endowed with political fervor to rule. What actually happens is that the nature of politics as the commentators claim to shed light on and explain better to the populace is at best left undiscussed and conflicting political and economic theories that have lost their bearings and narcissistic references made to ideologies that other nations are always trying to impose on others but always proves to be abortive experiments. Arguments bordering on irrationality and presentation of issues not based on cogent philosophy are served with trimmings to the masses who are so separate and distant from political theories that all that they know about politics is to rail out in sycophantic and ingratiating terms their support or dislike of political parties and point out with naivety the dirty nature of politics yet quick to admit that political power resides in their thumbs by the courtesy of the political commentators.
In effect, the nature and workings of politics is not clarified and key issues that will be the only link to the true acquisition of political knowledge withheld from the public. And academic exploits, prejudices, biases, mediocrity and shallow mendacity tossed to the masses to digest and when they get surfeited with the poisonous and irrelevant ideas exclaim in unequivocal terms yes politics is full of tricks.
These aberrations on the part of the commentators pave the way for the real politicians to descend down like vultures on the masses. The numerous misinterpretations and misconceptions they were subjected to leaves them steeped in political superstition. This makes them malleable and volatile to extreme exploitation. The resounding epithets they are fond of reciting about politics do not have affinity with practicality. They become entrapped in subjective political realms away from the objective reality of the games. It becomes amusing and sheer fallacy to see sections of the populace harboring totally different and divergent views and notions about politics. The perceptions the masses hold about their role in politics is to humbly align themselves with those in “power” so that they would also eat the crumbs that may fall beneath the tables of the calibers so as to keep body and soul together. Their vulnerability thus become pronounced and exposed to be exploited and any idea whether progressive or retrogressive is implemented to please their party heroes and their whims and lust for money satisfied.
With time these tendencies will degenerate into fanaticism and bigotry. Relationships becomes embittered and hostile, sharp distinctions are quickly drawn. The masses would wage their own version of political war of words. Abuses are hurled at opponents and derogatory remarks of acrimony and animosity becomes the tools, the political weapons.
When it happens that the masses becomes overtaken by the intoxicating fallacies of politics what the pamphleteers will do is to start pleading with the populace to start conducting themselves. They suddenly become eloquent with soothing orations about the splendid qualities of politics as not a hostile game at all but rather a unifying endeavor. Politics becomes a golden chess played by the gods and not dirty game of pigs. The need for peace becomes the focus of attention and discussion. For the first time we hear enigmatic phrases of politicians who are in actual fact political ghosts because when they are voted into power, they are not seen or heard again in their various constituencies but at election time, telling the people that we are one entity and we should guard that bond and mutual understanding. We shouldn’t let the harmony and tolerance degenerate into a hideous outburst of hostilities.
Priority and centrality is given to the supremacy of the nation. Politics becomes its handmaid. Peace becomes the topic of discussion. By that time, the masses have already immersed themselves into the game and their hearts and minds etched in the vagaries of the game that they are prepared to partake in anything that is bound to bring out their political follies and totally averse to imploring pleas of political saints to conduct themselves like humans in the political arena.
For the first time the masses learn that politics is not a hostile game at all. The real owners of power become evident and prayers of religionists and prophets are sought after. God almighty is invoked to descend down from his supreme abode in the sky to arbitrate and soften the heart of weak and wicked men who will capitalize on the volatile situation to plunge the nation into chaos and anarchy. The national anthem is played times unending with solemn majesty and new impetus is given to our identity. Men and women who have spent their lives abroad and virtually know nothing about the nation and are ready to leave at any time become nationalists advocating for tolerance. It becomes clear that we are one people with one aim, one destiny one soul.
If we are capable of viewing politics in this light, why so much fallacious propagation of false ideas and concepts? Why inflame passions in the first place if we are very much aware that when it degenerates into indescribable hostilities we all stand the chance of losing, even plunging into the lowermost echelons of destruction. If we are aware that politics if not properly handled can be a ruinous pursuit, a dangerous adventure that can reduce the nation to debris and a bitter experience why not get down and shed the egocentric elitist way of conducting it far from the masses. Why not devote the time wasted with fruitless arguments and war of words and educate the masses on the positive aspects of politics and forge ahead in our nation building endeavors. The undue advantage taken to today in the mask of and vile excuse of politics is a dirty game – poly tricks or poor little tricks played on the less intelligent masses for personal aggrandizement may be upturned tomorrow and the masses hitherto thought to be less intelligent and immersed in ignorance rise up in their folly –tical frenzy to wreak irreparable havoc and mete out justice for if anything, they are the majority and if the “leader is a lion at least, the people are many headed beast”.
No comments:
Post a Comment