Baba
When democracy is harmful
Namaskar,
The Propounder of Prout, Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar, guides us how majority decisions can lead to disunity and divisions within a family. Suppose there are 6 grown siblings who share a house together. Four are rice eaters and wish to keep rice as the staple food in the kitchen. The two bread eaters object. A vote is taken and by a 4 to 2 majority it is decided that rice shall be the accepted staple food in the house. This greatly annoys and disturbs the bread-eaters and they move out, thereby dividing the family. On sensitive issues a democratic, majority decision sparks anger, alienation, and disunity. In these types of circumstances, the rational approach for these six siblings would be to consider the wishes of everyone and allot funds for both rice and bread. By this way, all can still peacefully and practically co-exist.
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Democracy caused unrest in various places
Over the few years, there has been similar issues with the Russian control of Chechnya, the Chinese dominance of the Uighers in western China, the Singhalese rule of the Tamilians in Sri Lanka, the Turkish governance of the Kurds in Turkey, and the Egyptian rule of Sinai etc. In all these regions there is unrest and crackdowns as the majority government aims to impose its will and regulations on local populations. These places are areas of perpetual violence and opposition. So a majority vote by the ruling regime is not sufficient for creating peace in an area, rather it sparks resentment, disunity, and insurgency. The above are all cases where a majority decision alienated and infuriated a section of the population. In result, there was serious social discord, violent uprisings, and division.
Prout philosophy states, “There are occasions when majority decisions do not create unity in society because people are more or less divided on an issue. In such circumstances, the leaders should be very cautious when making their decisions, and take special care to safeguard the interests of everybody. In particular, they should select a course of action which does not harm the sentiments of any group. For example, suppose there are seven brothers in a joint family, and these brothers are divided on an issue. Four brothers may be on one side and three brothers on another. If the head of the family takes a decision based on the wishes of the majority, the family will be divided into two groups. Therefore, a decision should be taken which safeguards the interests of all the brothers.” (1)
Unity heightened by forgoing democracy
Here we examine how the system of majority rule system in a democracy can - in some cases - lead to infighting and disunity. Up till now, amongst the various political systems, democracy has been the best of a bad lot. The ideal system will come in the future. Until that time, we must stick with democracy, despite its pitfalls and limitations.
There are occasions where majority rule was not followed and in result there was greater unity in society. When the black slaves were freed in the US, that was not a majority decision. If it had gone to a democratic vote or referendum, their freedom would not have been granted. In response, there would have been a revolt, and that would have led to more struggle and strife and tremendous bloodshed. Those in power understood well that a majority decision to keep blacks enslaved would be tantamount to pouring gasoline on a fire. Thus, a proclamation was made to set blacks free; this issue was never sent for a referendum. In result, the blacks were freed and society was far better off than if they voted and the majority decided not to free the black slaves. Thus, on sensitive issues a democratic, majority decision can spark anger, alienation, and disunity.
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Peace by forgoing democracy
A similar event occurred with granting women the right to vote. In various countries around the world, the male franchise era voters with their male-dominated world view could have taken a majority decision not to grant voting rights to women. Had they done so, there would have been terrible discord and tension in society. Due to social pressure and circumstance, those at the helm came to the conclusion that women must be given franchise. They understood that this would promote greater peace and harmony in society.
And this whole episode can happen vice-versa as well. We can also imagine that in the matrilineal order, it could happen that males are not allowed to vote. The female franchise era voters with their female-dominated world view could take a majority decision that restricts males from voting. And this might continue for some time. Then due to social pressure, those leading females may decide that they have no option but to grant voting rights to males - otherwise there may be tremendous backlash. So even though those females are in power and represent the majority, they understand that in order to create a stable society males also must be given their franchise. We can easily imagine this being the case in a different era.
On sensitive issues a democratic, majority decision sparks anger, alienation, and disunity. The overall point which Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarlkar has given is that the democratic approach does not bring social harmony if a majority decision is made on certain sensitive issues. On limited occasions, the rule by majority is fine. Yet there remain numerous instances on delicate topics where a majority decision only serves to alienate and anger many people ultimately causing division and disunity. We have to remember that care and caution are needed to build a unified society. Simply resorting to majority rule will not do. That is the Proutistic guideline.
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Conclusion
On certain occasions, the democratic approach works well, but in many circumstances the result of majority rule is harmful. There are many delicate issues that should not be decided by the democratic process because such majority decisions harm the sentiments of the people, thereby leading to disunity and division.
Namaskar,
In Him,
Sutreshvar
~ In-depth study ~
Democracy can cause breakdown of a family or social unity
A similar type of example can be raised regarding loud music. Suppose there are 6 people living together and 4 wish to play loud music at night while the remaining two prefer a quiet house. If a majority decision is made to allow loud music, then the remaining two will leave. One creative solution would be to ask people to wear headphones when listening to loud music. But if this is overlooked then this could be another case where a majority decision leads to the breakdown of a family or social unity. That is why on sensitive issues, other means need to be employed to protect the comfort and interests of all.
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Language issue and Ukrainian crisis
Here is another event in our recent history that speaks to this point. The Russian citizens, although a majority in the state of Crimea, were a minority population in Ukraine. By majority rule, the government of Ukraine imposed the Ukranian language on those Russian speaking people in Crimea. The rest is history. Just a few years ago Crimea was seized back by Russia and those Russian speaking inhabitants rejoiced in coming under Russian rule.
On February 23, 2014, the second day after the flight of Viktor Yanukovich, while in a parliamentary session a deputy from “Batkivshchina” Vyacheslav Kyrylenko moved to include in the agenda a draft that would repeal the 2012 Law “On the principles of the state language policy”. The motion was carried with 232 deputies voting in favor, the draft was included into the agenda, immediately put to a vote with no debate and approved with the same 232 voting in favor, making Ukrainian the sole state language at all levels.If Ukraine had governed Crimea in a rational way without language imposition, things might have been different. So while they may be many reasons for this crisis in Crimea, certainly a key factor was language. Here again we see how on sensitive issues a democratic, majority decision sparks anger, alienation, and disunity.
The attempt to repeal the 2012 Law “On the principles of the state language policy” was met with great disdain in Crimea and Southern and Eastern Ukraine provoking waves of anti-government protests, ultimately culminating with the Crimean crisis.
Repeal of the law was met with regret by the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe.[35] The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities expressed concern over possible further unrest due to the repeal. (Courtesy of Wikipedia)
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How to clean democracy
The following is the Prout discourse titled: Compartmentalized Democracy.
Prout philosophy states, “Now let us discuss some reforms to democracy. Democracy cannot succeed in countries where people are illiterate, immoral, or backward. Countries like England, the USA and France are suitable for democracy, but even these countries need to introduce some reforms.
First, legislators in the states and at the centre should be elected on the recommendations of the people at large. At the time of electing representatives the people should pay heed to their education, moral standard and sacrifice for the society etc. If the representatives are elected keeping in view these factors, they will not be guided by party interests but by collective interests. In their minds the interests of the entire human race and society will dominate, and not any class interests. They will be able to enact laws keeping in mind the prob lems of all and sundry, thereby accelerating the speed of social reconstruction. Their impartial service will bring happiness to all.
“The voting rights should be vested in educated persons who have political consciousness and awareness of people’s problems. Age should not be a bar to voting right. If illiterate people are given voting rights there is the possibility of antisocial and incompetent representatives being elected.
“To provide a fearless and independent ambience to the administration, the secretariat should be kept free from pressures from the cabinet. The cabinet should confine itself to legislation, the passage and passing of the budget, the implementation of its plans and policies, defense etc. The power of ministers should remain confined to the parliament and they should not poke their nose into the workings of the secretariat. The chief secretary should not be under the president or the prime minister but should act independently as the executive head. All the secretaries should work under the chief secretary. Free from cabinet pressures, every department will serve the people well.
“In the present system the judiciary functions under a cabinet minister, and pressure from the minister may impair its independent functioning. To remove this defect and to ensure impartial justice, the judiciary should have the right to function independently. In no case should the chief justice be treated as inferior to the president or the prime minister. Only moralists and honest persons should be installed on the hallowed seat of justice. If people fail to keep this issue under their close scrutiny, injustice will take the place of justice.
“[[Finally, for the proper utilization of the nation’s revenue and to ensure that every paisa is spent on building up the nation, it is extremely important that the audit branch as well be independent. The auditor general should be independent of the president. Only the independence of the auditor general can ensure that this branch will be able to fearlessly check the accounts of every other branch. Thus it should be a separate administrative branch of government, and independent of the party holding a majority.
“All the four branches mentioned above should be given the scope to function independently. Thus there will be four compartments. No compartment will function under another.]]
“But in such a situation there is still the possibility of injustice and exploitation. So to supervise or monitor the function of all these compartments, the benevolent dictatorship of the board of Sadvipras is required so that spirituality will reign supreme.” (2)
References
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 16, Three Cardinal Socio-Political Principles
2. Prout in a Nutshell - 14, Compartmentalized Democracy
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The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stands on their own as points of interest.
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== Section 2: News ==
Today the truth was unfolded. Ac Kinshukji has passport in the name of Rajat Datta. However he applied for new passport in the name of Ac Kinshuk Ranjan Sarkar. During Police Verification, Police came to know that Ac Kinshukji already had passport in the name of Rajat Datta. Police could not find any document (birth certificate, Education certificate, etc) which confirm that his name is Kinshuk Ranjan sarkar and has been adopted by Srii Shrii Anandamurtiiji.
In absence of documents, Police smelt "Forgery"and hence Police escorted him to another Police station where he was questioned by top Police officers. However, after displaying so many court case documents that he is now heading AMPS as Kinshuk Ranjan sarkar.........Police, at last, released Ac Kinshukji....
His Passport documents are still pending.......He is still waiting for Passport in the name of Ac Kinshuk Ranjan Sarkar...No one knows whether he will get it or not....However it has once again been confirmed that Baba adopted him socially, not legally......
Above news was confidential. But One WT of Kolkata group Ac Devkrishnananda Avt who never accepted Kinshukji as PP, disclosed / revealed above facts in whatsapp groups. In fact there is a team of WTs in Kolkata group who do not accept Kinshukji as PP / President.
- Reporter
== Section 3: Prabhat Samgiita ==
Keeping faith in Your name
"Toma'r na'me bha'siye dilum a'ma'r sa'dher tariikha'ni..." (Prabhat Samgiita #4755)
Purport:
O' Parama Purusa, I float my little boat trusting on Your name, surrendering everything unto You. By Your blessing the watercraft of my desires will float along through all the crests and troughs - across the highs and lows - day and night. I do not have any fear due to Your special care. You are my eternal shelter. All my desires and longings are depending solely on You. You are my all. I have full faith on Your karun’a’; my whole existence floats in the incantative waves of Your divine name.
O' Parama Purusa, You are my Goal and my dhyana. You are so gracious - always calling me and bringing me closer to You. On the dark, stormy night in the midst of the loud thunder and streaking lightening, my tattered vessel will not shake or tremble because I am Yours. You are my everything.
Baba, O' Divine Entity, on the one side the whole panoramic scene is absolutely brilliant: As I go along, the entire water, air, and sky are suffused with the golden refulgence of the sun's rays. Everything is sparkling. Yet on the other side, due to my own faults and shortcomings, my existence is stained in blackness. By Your mercy, I will carefully sort through all the good and bad things - keeping all the positive attributes and removing all the negative ones.
Baba, my whole existence is revolving around You - singing Your name and glory. You are my everything…
== Section 4: Important Teaching ==
O’ Parama Purusa think about me too
Here following is an English summary or gist of the below Bangla teaching:
With one brain how can you compete with Parama Purusa. Better is to tell Him that, “O’ Parama Purusa, You have innumerable brains. Think for me too and solve my problems. With one brain how much can I do.” By this way, one should surrender unto Him. (English summary)Ananda Marga ideology states, “তুমি একটা brain নিয়ে, তাঁর সঙ্গে পারৰে কী করে ? তার চেয়ে সময় থাকতে ৰলে ফেলা ভাল, যে “তোমার অতগুলো brain রয়েছে, আমার চিন্তাও করো, আমি আর একটা brain-এ কী করতে পারি |” (1)
Reference
1. The Thousand-Headed Puruśa, V06-15-(E) MGD 17 December 1978 Calcutta
== Section 5: Links ==
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Baba
This email contains five sections:
1. News: Baba adopted Kinshukji socially, not legally
2. PS #0966: Keeping faith in Your name
3. Posting: When democracy is harmful
4. IT: O’ Parama Purusa think about me too
5. Links
