Vanishing Eggs

Modi's Law of Political Success

2008-09-24T18:31:00.008+05:30

Welcome to this quick tutorial on how to get and retain power in any of the 28 states in India.

This tutorial is based on Modi's Laws of Political Success, named after the great Indian leader who has redefined the Indian political landscape by consistently winning elections. It is based on the application of social principles and logic reasoning to guide political parties to get and retain power, particularly in India. The Modi's Laws of Political Success, modified a bit - have also resonated with the western leaders - in particular one Mr. Bush. However, India has claimed ownership of this powerful philosophy.

Basic Principles of MLOPS

Conflict

The most natural state of social identities is to be in conflict. Harmony between diverse groups is an anomaly. Conflict might or might not exist explicitly but it can always be facilitated.

Consensus

The diverse social identities must have consensus within themselves about what is good for them. There must be consensus that the conflict is a strong enough reason to define the choice of vote. This must be explicity understood and stated. However, consensus between diverse social groups must be avoided. As per the first principle, social identities must remain in conflict or they become non-performing electoral assets.

Critical Mass

The third principle states that as a political entity, one must be affiliated with a social identity on the basis of their critical mass. This choice can be made before or after there is a consensus but consensus must be created before elections. One of the fastest ways to create consensus is conflict.

Conscince

Conscience must be managed. Conscience can be managed effectively if the Critical Mass is kept happy and their needs are met regularly. It gives them a strong reason to justify their ballot choice.

Basic Processs of MLOPS

One of the most important processes of Modi's Law of Political Success is based on the premised that Conflict between social identities builts intra-group consensus between them. The political parties seen leaning towards this consensus then gets the votes. If a political party affiliates itself with the critical mass, it's victory is assured. Post victory, consistently meeting the needs of the critical mass allows it to manage the conscience of the population and ensures consistent victory.

Step 0: Identify Social Identities (Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs etc.)

Step 1: Create Conflict (Desecration of religious places, Riots, Ghettoisation, Protests etc.)

Step 2: Build Consensus (We all agree Muslims are out to destroy us, We all agree we need to be protected)

Step 3: Affiliate with Critical Mass (In a predominantly Hindu state, only Hindu votes can give us the critical mass to ensure political success)

Step 4: Manage Conscience (Do a good job, ensure development, employment and prosperity)

Step 5: Repeat from Step 1

Application of MLOPS

Gujrat

Conflict: Post Godhra rioteering ensured that Hindus and Muslims were running scared of each other.

Consensus: There was strong consensus within the Hindus and Muslims that "the other" was the enemy

Critical Mass: The Conflict and Fear from the the first two stages would define how people would vote. Hindus being a majority - would vote for their protectors. In this case - Modi.

Conscience: Post power, did a good job of developing Gujrat to ensure further political success.

There you go....

MLOPS 101...

Howard Roark with the Begging Bowl

2008-09-23T19:06:00.000+05:30

The great villain in any of Ayn Rand's epic is the Collective.

A few individuals - with their sheer vision and competence, rise above circumstances and follow a passion more deeply held than faith. They overcome odds which cannot be overcome, face personal injury and humiliation, yet remain uncompromising in their pursuit for creation.

However, when this 'purushottam', ideal man/woman becomes powerful and rich and famous - the collective - the masses - pounce on him like a pack of hyenas. They whine, they crib, they want a pound of their flesh. They want to be cared for, protected, nurtured and they want the rich man - the capitalist to pay for it.

Oh yes, and the government is a part of this too. The government - snarl - which celebrates mediocrity and punishes the risk-taking individual. If only, there was complete deregulation and the government had no role to play.

This is the foundation on which the world's strongest country has been built. Nothing is impossible for the individual. Anyone, anyone can create a future that they desire and if they don't - it's their own fault. They need to work harder.

Howard Roark is this ideal man in Rand's fascinating book - The Fountainhead.

The collapse of Wall Street has many a Howard Roarks facing a challenge the size of their egos. And what are our Roarks doing? Are they picking up the drill and going to work on the construction site? Are they saying "I fucked up."

Not really. Our Howard Roarks are whining, victims of the circumstances - for a government to come and save them.

"I got into trouble. It's so big - if you don't help me - the whole world's financial system will collapse. Give me money."

But the world financial system must be saved. So the whining Roarks will have their way. A 700 billion dollar bailout plan is on the way.

The 700 billion dollar let's-clean-the-mess-party is about to begin.
Admission Fees is 2300$ per head - man, woman and child.
Attendance is compulsory.

What does this mean?

We have seen the death of communism. As a system - it didn't work.

While we eye the next promotion and manage carefully our investment portfolios and pay taxes - it is easy to miss the obvious - This one, right here - in which we are - is a system too.

And systems run smoothly.
And they change.
And they collapse.

That's what systems do.

Maybe the solution is not to outsource our life to a paternal government and a mythical state.

Maybe the solution is not to celebrate individualism such that we run out of compassion.

Maybe there is a way - that would allow for self-expression for individuals and be compassionate at the same time.

Maybe this failure is a time to rethink some fundamental questions.

What is Profit?

What is Loss?

Edward DeBono says, we cannot fault intelligent people for understanding what the system rewards and then doing what they would be rewarded for.

What are we rewarding?
What are we holding people responsible or accountable for?

While in communism - the system rewards loyalty to an invisible collective and a very visible state.

In Capitalism - we have rewarded short term gains, quarterly profits, greed and unaccounted risk-taking. We have promised impossible unlimited growth and we have allowed firms to become too big to fail. Shouldn't your right to grow stop where my retirement savings begin?

Yes, this is a time for action and saving the world.

But maybe, this is also a time to introspect about what we want and where we are going and where we want to go.

Conversations are us

2008-09-22T03:38:00.001+05:30

Saleem and I talk.

A lot.

Over this Friday and weekend, if I clocked just our conversation time - it would be in double digit Hours.

We are always ready for a great conversation over a chai or a coffee. It's never-ending and it just goes on. Politics, Philosophy, Religion, Relationships, Marriage, Personal Lives, Common Friends, Scandals, Who'z where, Dogs, Financial Crises, U.S Elections, Communal Violence, Bananas, Coffee, Headphones, Mobile Phones, Apple Cakes, Films, Film Reviews, TV Ads, TV Shows, Shoes, College, Youngsters, Elders.... I could go on...

What is it like to be friends for 8 years and still not be able to run out of topics?

I know.

In fact, I now realize - all my close friends - this has been a common thread. We talk. I have no friends - who are strong, silent types. We are all happy chatterboxes - being cheap, silly, witty and occasionally deep.

I wonder what its like for others?