Editor,
Apropos the article, “Great country, no leaders, bad followers” by Patricia Mukhim, (ST July 20 2012) the writer rightly stated that the inherent contradictions within the national alliances have had very adverse consequences on the way this country is run and that we in India have both a leadership and follower-ship problem. True, India faces an acute problem of political leadership.
Joseph E.Stiglitz, Economist and Noble prize winner in 1997 said, “The issue is not whether planning is needed – it surely is- but whether the most effective place to do planning is in a government centralized bureau or at the level of the firm. Today most economists are skeptical about the ability of a centralized bureau to do effective planning.” In the light of this statement it is apparent that the role of the Planning Commission is redundant forget the UPA or NAC which are unconstitutional and dangerous for our democracy.
The best leaders are those who inspire others to come together towards the achievements of higher aims. The telling observation from Machiavelli that remains relevant to politics today: “A prince will never lack legitimate excuses to explain away his breaches of faith. Modern history will furnish innumerable able examples of this behavior, showing how the man succeeded best who knew best how to play the fox. But it is necessary part of this nature that you must conceal it carefully; you must be a great liar and hypocrite. Men are so simple of mind, and so much dominated by their immediate needs, that a deceitful man will always find plenty who are ready to be deceived.” This advice is as applicable in our time as it was in Machiavelli’s for the immoral pursuers of power who would take advantage of it. Television viewers filled daily with media banter, especially in an election year, are quite susceptible to being misled. Of course, Almighty God, who has the most power in the entire universe, in no way approves of the misuse of power and influence, especially through lies and hypocrisy. History shows that man has followed the lead of Satan, with self-absorbed leaders taking themselves too seriously and going to all lengths to achieve fame and honor for themselves. Part of the reason many leaders fail to display good leadership is that they have a myopic and distorted view of themselves – becoming all the worse as they gain more power. The famous maxim, “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely” (Lord Acton, 1887) is relevant today as it was then. Scripture warns, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25). The problem lies in the human heart: “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9). Clearly God knows that men can exercise great power over those they rule – to positive or negative effect depending in large part on their real motivation: “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan” (Proverbs 29:2). God warns against selfish leadership and instructs in true, unselfish leadership. Every person needs to honestly assess his or her actual motives.
Yours etc.,
VK Lyngdoh,
Via email