Preparing for the Perfect Storm
While reading Swapan Dasgupta’s take on the Rushdie affair, I stumbled on these lines (emphasis added):
Those who felt offended and let down by Rushdie’s absence from Jaipur were regarded as inconsequential members of the non-voting classes.
Their protests could safely be disregarded.
It struck me that this was also the reason why the government did the shameless “dance” on Lokpal Bill.. and capitulated in the case of Rushdie.
And then I came across this remarkable essay by Arun Shourie on Vote Banks (do read, if you have not already) in which he concluded (emphasis added):
Is the Party again counting on amenable judges? Or is cynicism in command again? Who cares if the courts strike down the promise later?
By that time those who have to be fooled, would have been fooled; what is to be won, would have been won.
Isn’t it time to say enough? Time to make sure your voice is not disregarded? To make sure your protest is not un-heard? To make sure that you are not being fooled?
Make this year, the year of change ..Make 2012 the year in which we said, “Enough!” Do this by equipping yourself with information…Do this by discussing, debating and commenting in public…Make use of social media and online platforms to the hilt..One place to start is right here on this blog…especially the posts related to “Politics and Governance in India“.
Get involved in a citizen activity, a community initiative, teach kids, educate …do something for your neighbourhood..but keep your eye on the big goal..to change the system, you will have to get involved yourself..make sure you prepare for it…So when the perfect storm comes, you are ready.
Somewhat Related: Checking out of India – psychologically
What the above data shows is simply that caste identities — and caste-related political cultures — are submerged by class considerations when formerly rural groups come to the city, hoping to join the lower middle class.
From A class of his own by Christophe Jaffrelot, Apr 17 2013.
…
The pieces for my “perfect storm” appear to be falling in place..
More support for the perfect storm hypothesis – this extract from Pg 4 of a letter by JP of LokSatta titled, “The Cruel Dilemma of Political Reform”, Mar 2014:
“In the 2009 elections, Loksatta polled 10-12% votes in Hyderabad and much less in other parts of the state, proving that a combination of higher per capita income (a sign of increased awareness), and urbanization are critical for the spread of new political culture.“
The 2 elements of the “Perfect Storm” that came together in AAP’s win:
(i) A communication channel that completely bypassed traditional media (see How 10 IIT Bombay Students Helped Aam Aadmi Party Stump BJP on Social MediaM, NDTV Report by Bhairavi Singh, February 12, 2015
(ii) Urbabnisation (leading to negation of sub-identities of caste etc) e.g. “One of the main learning of these elections is that the traditional levers of electoral politics have not produced their usual results and that a new register of politics could supplant them. One needs not necessarily divide the electorate on caste or class lines to secure majorities through the disproportionality effect of the electoral system, as it has been the trend in state politics in North India in recent years, and in the last General elections.” from The AAP Sweep: nine charts that explain the Delhi poll results
AND
Delhi polls: How AAP swept across class and caste differences by Darpan Singh, Hindustan Times, New Delhi, Feb 10, 2015
Somewhat related, from The new mind control:
“…Google now has the power to flip upwards of 25% of the national elections in the world”