Youth Vs. Politics

In the last few weeks, we have witnessed some ridiculously humorous political situation in Karnataka. The way the different political parties have been playing Musical chair for the Chief Minister's post, I can't help but feel ashamed to be a mute and helpless spectator. Though it is funny to listen/watch our political leaders play mud slinging games with each other, it makes me put my head down in shame and disgust.

Politics is one area that is beyond my comprehension and I havent' tried to understand it much either. And I am sure I am not the only one in this "I-care-a-damn-about-politics" category.

The question is why does the younger generation hate politics while for our earlier generation politics seem to be a favourite dining table discussion topic. The reason is simple: Our generation has never been given the opportunity or the guidance to understand the meaning of politics.

Whenever I think of politics, few things come to my mind:
- Old men with grey hair
- White kurta and pyjama
- Big talks/promises
- Corruption
- Coalition governments
- Horse trading
- Parliament fights
- Terrible English
- Threats to pull out support
- Laloo Prasad Yadav and HD Deve Gowda

None of these would really motivate anybody to join politics or atleast be interested in it. So is that what Politics is all about? Is it as bad as we imagine it?

Just as a timepass excercise I did a Wikipedia search on Politics and here is what I found:
Politics is the process by which groups of people make decisions. Although the term is generally applied to behavior within civil governments, politics is observed in all human group interactions, including corporate, academic, and religious institutions.
Politics consists of "social relations involving authority or power" and refers to the regulation of a political unit, and to the methods and tactics used to formulate and apply policy.
Political science (also political studies) is the study of political behavior and examines the acquisition and application of power. Related areas of study include political philosophy, which seeks a rationale for politics and an ethic of public behavior, and public administration, which examines the practices of governance.

Now that doesn't sound that bad. But unfortunately in our country politics is not that way and neither is it perceived that way. I wonder why can't we have a leader like Nicolas Sarkozy, the current French President, who within a short stint as the National leader has brought about so many policy changes. Just contrast that with our leaders. The Golden Quadrilateral project has been going on for eternity now.

But the whole point is that this angst can't be directed just at our politicians. I feel we all are equally responsible for this state of affairs. So what do we do? That's what I don't know.

Like our politicians, I believe even our minds are corrupted. We all dream the American dream, want to go abroad, make loads of moolah, buy a plush apartment, drive a fast car and blah blah blah. In this pursuit of our materialistic pleasures, our patriotism just takes a backseat. It only comes to the fore either when we watch a Rang De Basanti or witness something like the current political situation in Karnataka. Another reason is that many of us don't know what can we do in our capacity to improve the things around us.

Well, I am yet to be a perfect citizen myself. Atleast, I have realised that I am not one and I am making an attempt to become one.