Democracy Hurts

Very often one gets to hear the comparisons between India and China, and also in the same breath the fact that despite a fabulous head start and better ingredients, India is getting its ass kicked all over the place by the damn Chinese. When people make these comparisons people tend to overlook a very obvious fact - democracy.

And the average Ramprakash would ask: "Mr. Rana, how in heavens does democracy work as a factor here?". The question is a deceptive one. Partly because it was asked by the average Ramprakash, but also because it is counter intuitive to most (reason explained later). Its not easy, but here is my best shot at it.

If you take up a large number of people, you can probably break down the population into relative bands of intelligence. The largest number would be of least intelligence and the smallest number would be the smartest lot. Remember your class at school? There were 3-4 people out of 40 in the fray for being the topper, the rest were average and below average. And then there are those who don't even make it to the school. A big number amongst these may have the potential, but they never get the education, and remain not very bright.

Thus it can be seen that the majority of the population is not very smart. And majority means the rule of the major opinion, not the smarter opinion. This, coupled with the shrewd politicians we have, bent upon making election winning policies, usually puts things in reverse gear.

China, on the other hand, lacks the kind of democracy that we have. Their leaders shrewdly make their way up the ranks and finally become the president, PM etc. The leaders have always worked at numerous councils and committees before they make it to the big league, and thus carry some sort problem solving expertise.

The citizens have very restricted rights to go on a strike, expression of free will, destruction of public property, peeing on the roads stealing taxes etc. The corruption is still there, but not at each and every micro level.

They also lack the NGOs which stall productivity in the name of pollution control, pushing up prices and hurting our global competencies. Also, morons are shot in China, in India they become parliamentarians.

Essentially its a trade off between the two situations. Would I rather have the freedom to make mistakes, or would I rather get boxed about by the government, which will also make sure I don't make seemingly stupid choices?

I'd rather do the former.