Sunday, January 19, 2014

Democracy Vs Dictatorship vs Leadership

Majority opinion reflects perception - not reality. Democracy is based on the perception of the majority - which might be wrong. Hence, we create the concept of dictatorship - which is again based on the perception of one(instead of majority)

But the underlying malaise is still the same: Being influenced by perception rather than being grounded in reality.
Each decision a gamble - in the hope that our perception matches reality, rather than grounded in unshakeable reality. The house at the risk of toppling any time.

Why does dictatorship seem tempting then? Maybe because it allows us to shift responsibility to someone ELSE, a saviour - instead of undergoing the travails of digging out reality by ourselves, seeing our role in it, seeing how we contribute in worsening the mess. And when we are ready to give up control, there are many opportunists willing to grab it! 

The thing to understand is a perception can be right or wrong only in reference to reality. Therefore the focus should be reality. Because the truth can stand alone. It just is. Regardless of the majority opinion, or who wins a war. 

When we are more worried about right and wrong, than the truth itself - everything becomes an exercise to EVADE responsibility. Democracy becomes an excuse to say "If the majority said it, it must be right(Hopefully I am on the right side)" and dictatorship to say "We trusted the dictator and he broke our trust"
When we are more concerned about the truth - everything becomes an exercise to ACCEPT responsibility: "The majority says it - but how do we make sure its true?(doesnt matter which side i am on)" and "What were we expecting a dictator to do that we refused to do by ourselves?"

The difference between a leader and a dictator is that the dictator relies on the wave of perception to sustain himself, and falls when reality eventually slaps him on the face. He was as blind as the people to begin with. The leader, grounded in reality, sees things that even the majority clouded by their perceptions might not. The decision to hold his ground in the face of opposition, is not a consequence of courage, but simply integrity - being true to himself. He is not interested in the power game - because he sees that it cannot last forever. Leaders do not need a dictatorship to make an impact. They can make a difference anywhere. A pack of dictators will lead to power wars. A pack of leaders will lead to responsible living. Whatever emerges from that can only be for the better - no matter how unfamiliar, how cliche, how weird it looks.

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