Democrats’ Autocracy

September 28, 2024

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Indian Politics Reality

September 23, 2023

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Democracy in Crisis

March 24, 2023

Democracy in Crisis

Padmini Arhant

Political reality today is politics has transformed into theatrics with incognito pulling strings from behind as puppeteers and political actors chosen to perform the puppet act. Not to mention commercialization of politics with price tag not for the worthy and meritorious rather the notorious prostrating in obsequious to puppet masters reining control.

The media and various communication outlets along with entertainment industry represent the ensemble in the political orchestra.

The modus operandi is follow the script meant for all in the concert.

Not surprisingly, the yesteryear democracies upended to satisfy ravenous appetite for prolonged power despite terrible track record during term in office.

Accordingly the strategy deploying anything goes to remain in power and absolve from corruption and criminality by those in the highest office is the norm.

The democracies in the United States, India and Israel…regularly touted the world’s modern, largest and the only one in the region etc. in the serial order are contemporarily displaced for personal political interests.

Those pitched and paraded as the messiahs in these democracies are proven emperor without clothes with those behind the imaginary facade backing falsehood unwilling and incompetent to recognize actual situation.

Nonetheless, the trajectory is not without inviolable outcome.

The people’s rights seized in a republic by the head of the states with amassment of power to self / selves lasting several terms i.e. decades have invariably resulted in tumult and turmoil. 

From Russian Czars to then head of the nation Joseph Stalin along with Hitler, Mussolini and alike from around the world have succumbed to gluttonous greed for power in their vain assessment of might is right.

How gravely they were wrong was established in their disappearance and self-termination feat.

No difference between them and those treading in their path now as all roads to authoritarianism, dictatorial power and despotism ultimately leads to only one destination – the precipice.

Padmini Arhant  

Authoritarian Despotism Case Study

December 28, 2021

Authoritarian Despotism Case Study

Padmini Arhant

What leads to authoritarianism?

There are several factors that leads to authoritarian rule in a system.

The first and foremost is weak or lack of opposition to incompetence, corrupt and criminal activities in government and leadership.

No checks and balances is the cornerstone of authoritarianism.

The constitution is made irrelevant and inconvenient under authoritarian power.

The economy is segregated into the poorest, poor, lower income and middle income comprising the work force with these groups classified as mere working class and among them the middle class are taxpayers. 

Juxtaposed, the upper middle class, wealthy and super rich stash wealth offshore, deplete national treasury in tax evasion and money laundering. This group become the authoritarian stalwarts in quid pro quo. The hierarchy in society premised on social economic status enable authoritarian rule.

The media, press and communication outlets become the voice of the dictatorial leadership heading the failed government. There are overt and covert operatives with mainstream conventional media representing and protecting authoritarian flagrant violations.

Whereas the other touted as the so-called independent and investigative media is another wing of authoritarian regime to mislead public in nuanced narratives and by far the ardent promoter of authoritarianism with false accounts on the leadership so-called popularity and charisma in contradiction to ground reality. The blatant fabrication is aimed at adding insult to human intelligence.

The successive defeats in big state elections, the fear of losing upcoming elections based on electorate disillusionment with leadership at national as well as local government prompting postponement of state assembly elections would not be happening at the height of any leadership’s immense popularity and irresistible charisma projected by the media circus favoring authoritarianism.

The old adage – it is better to deal with the devil you know than the devil you don’t know.  The devil in disguise is a major threat in any situation aptly applicable to the above mentioned deliberate deception and deceit.

Anything out in the open is at least visible. In contrast the insinuations and innuendoes from the so-called independent media claim to delineate from mainstream are the intimate bed fellows hard wired with authoritarianism in the wireless digital era. Accordingly, with all form of communication channels including the social media under control, the rise of authoritarianism is no longer veiled in euphemism.

Additionally, the systematic control and takeover of institutions beginning with judiciary, government agencies such as intelligence bureau, income tax, the central reserve bank and financial institutions are brought under the executive branch purview and direct authority. The absolute rein over these organizations further enhance and energize authority in silencing dissent.

In other words, the constitutionally empowered autonomous body are dismantled and centralized under the leadership at the helm.

The civil servants are delegated to propaganda and constant misinformation to condition public mind on taxpayers funded government dissemination and indoctrination.

Above all, the dangerous move ominously raising the red flag is when the executive branch in a Parliamentary system unilaterally shift the military command from the President to Prime Minister’s ambit. The civilian leadership posing in military camouflage outfit could not be a mere fashion statement.

The most common trait in dictatorial governance is targeting a particular demography, pawn religion as political ideology, subvert constitution governed secular democracy to fundamentalist, radical rhetoric arousing majoritarianism.

The political twists and turns of twenty first century authoritarianism compared to previous century of Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Benito Mussolini, the combined dictatorial regimes in Latin America, Africa, Middle East and Asia is the glaring transformation of democracy into fascism today.

In the past century, the dictators enforced authoritarian rule gradually with convincing socialism, communism and majoritarian rule.

In fact the idea of socialism, communism and pluralism veneered underlying coarse rough crude fascism in the making. These concepts were conveniently misused to subjugate population.

Without a shadow of doubt, the imperialists and major economic stakeholders’ direct and indirect involvement in the creation and nurture of dictatorial powers worldwide contributed to extensive authoritarian rule lasting several decades into the twenty first century continued until now.

The difference between then and present time is  transparency. The modern day witness and aware of oligarchs appointed and approved governments typically puppet regimes installed to serve oligarchy feudal system antithetical to constitution, secular pluralist democracy and capitalism with real market economy.

In terms of economic system, the contemporary trend overwhelmingly favor and positioned as monopolists economy displacing the capitalism defined competitive market economy.

The ongoing developments are far worse than in any other time. The global elites – the tech giants owned social platform arbitrary censorship of facts and truth in public domain is the fact of life despite free speech infringement.

The cancel culture evolving into intrusion and invasion of individual rights, life and privacy is carried out as prerogative. Notwithstanding restrictions on decisions related to personal health, lifestyle and well being is the latest law. 

Apparently, the individual liberty to exercise discretion on all things concerning personal life is no longer private matter. Instead it is entirely left to powerful groups in health industry and various dealers, shakers and movers in global syndicate. 

Politically, the authoritarian government transcending to autocracy with elections reduced to formality or even better deferred and delayed to suit individual interests especially when the odds are against incumbency is yet another sign of unpopularity, impropriety and carte blanche authority in full view. These are clear omens initiating 24/7 propaganda to mitigate image damage and event management. 

What is the role of academia, religious consortium and influential civil society in the manufacture of autocracy?

Unfortunately there are divisions in this respect as well.

One section of society presumably representing any or all of the above specified groups are very active in exalting autocracy such as drawing parallels from the past authoritarian style even it happened half a century ago to justify current autocratic rule. Again the reminder about the past authoritarianism invariably fails to note fatal consequences to that effect.

In other issues, they go further and normalize autocrat perversions via Pegasus and variety spyware with references from western activities rather than condemning the lewd indulgence not boding well for any civilized society and a make-believe democracy. It is plain complicity in elevating autocracy.

The other group conversely choosing to remain silent spectators entirely in self-interests is a do nothing segment until own experience dawn on them. This category falls under complacency.

Either groups do more harm in their respective ways than imaginable.

On the other hand, the rare righteous voice against autocracy is often under relentless attack from all directions for standing up to cronyism buttressed authoritarianism.

Upon righteous prevailing in the interception of autocracy, the complicit and complacent parties cited above would be in forefront to enjoy the benefits and fruitful outcome completely sidelining and rejecting righteous function in the entire cause. Such response is routine and hardly surprising. 

The opportunists and wannabes massive collusion in the rise of despotic dictatorial regimes inevitably fall together in the zero-sum game of democracy vs. dictatorship since time immemorial. 

There is glimpse of hope provided the republic repudiate autocracy neutralizing ravaging autocratic environment. 

Padmini Arhant 

Author & Presenter

PadminiArhant.com

Prakrithi.PadminiArhant.com 

You Tube – Censorship

August 18, 2021

You Tube – Censorship

Padmini Arhant

The search engine Google owned You Tube arbitrary censorship targeting selective users is a disturbing characteristic for a democracy.

You Tube blocking the sharing of original content providers approved videos via you tube channel is a strange practice for a media declared social media. 

What are You Tube’s valid reasons behind free speech censorship?

Perhaps You Tube CEO Susan Wojcicki could spare a moment to explain the latest trend in You Tube”s cancel culture.

Are Truth and facts so inconvenient that You Tube management is unable to handle?

Or

Is this confirmation of You Tube’s collusion with those responsible for human tragedies and malady in creating and spreading the pandemic SARS COV2 via Gain of Function research and others in politics abusing power and authority? 

Otherwise, are these forces directing you tube policy? 

Whatever the reasons, You Tube and those behind the silencing strategy, intolerance to freedom of expression and isolating factual information in the omission and rejection of public content in the so-called democracy leave the Talibans in Afghanistan novice in such matter.

Alternatively, the western Talibanization is ominous in the backdrop of democracy banner.

You Tube prohibiting Truth and facts at whomsoever behest is futile. The public data could no longer be hidden or forbidden in the information era.

Where exactly is the western democracy heading in the secret society led New World Order?

One might shun Truth and logic, but they cannot run away or hide from their inner selves witness to crimes prompting the guilty conscience in living and beyond.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant 

Author & Presenter

PadminiArhant.com

Prakrithi.PadminiArhant.com

Classic Authoritarianism

April 24, 2021

Classic Authoritarianism

Padmini Arhant

How to recognize authoritarianism in the twenty first century?

First and foremost citizens need to determine the significance to constitution – the corner stone in any democracy protecting citizens of the entire nation across the spectrum defining individual rights, liberty, security and sovereignty.

The concept of republic defended and enshrined in the nation’s constitution is instrumental to distinguish between democracy and autocracy.

The political leadership as the head of the state, the government and opposition representing the nation at large understanding of constitutional rights, honoring constitutional oath to serve the nation and the people barring pride and prejudice reflected in a functional democracy.

The democratic system would uphold constitutional rule of law. Whereas the authoritarian governance would slight and reject constitution as inconvenient implementing rules and legislations in pursuit of personal and political ideology.

The authoritarian government would further promote ideology premised on fundamentalism, feudalism and any other undemocratic principles in the capacity as fiduciary in personal, political and vested interests.

In doing so, the people’s republic protected by constitution is transformed into vassal statehood. The surrender of sovereignty facilitates dominion republic enabling internal and external forces’ dominance over people’s republic.

Next the ruling power’s style of governance deserve attention.

Style of governance would begin with level of transparency such as public access to information on all matter concerning citizens and national affairs including international relations.

Then the role of press and communication media. Whether they are able to exercise the freedom of press as expected in any functioning democracy abandoning bias and acquiescence or they serve as the state broadcasting networks evolved into government channels with disinformation and propaganda.

The political leadership and government tolerance to free speech sharing genuine views and concerns on issues related to economy, health, education, environment and social inequality is litmus test on democracy.

Importantly, the head of the state as Prime Minister or President meeting the real press once a week is a requirement unlike crony groveling media appeasement making a mockery of journalism.

The PM or President press meet taking direct questions from them again not scripted and pre-approved with answers from administration team.

Instead extemporaneous i.e. impromptu is critical to assess the head of the state’s acumen and grasp on all issues relevant to citizens and the country.

The press conference allowing constructive objective critique on administration and political party’s policies, actions, decisions or the lack thereof would exemplify respect for democracy.

Similarly public interaction with the head of the state responding to citizens’ grievances and struggles in public forum that could be conducted in virtual format in the pandemic situation. Again spontaneous not pre-arranged questions and response.

The political opposition are crucial and depends on the members seated as opposition quite often in quid pro quo between the ruling and so-called opposition grand standing public in people’s house – the Parliament or Congress assembly.

The opposition not necessarily opposing anything and everything from the other side. At the same time the opposition are not meant to kowtowing falling in line with the ruling power in self and vested interests against citizens and the nation they are elected under oath to serve the nation and the people in entirety – the ones who voted for and against them setting aside pride and prejudice. 

The basic evidence on authoritarianism lies with election. The election process involving open transparent vetting of incumbent and new contender having them address scandals, controversies and issues about their candidacy and public record on their political career would be a natural setting in a real democracy.

The election free from myriad election irregularities, illegal campaign financing, domestic and foreign funding, black money infusion and money laundering…to list few among many election violations. The fair election would comply with election rules applicable to all contestants not excluding the ruling power or the major political factions in the race. The known violators of election are presumptuous nominees and candidacies guaranteed victory ignoring electoral outcome.

The authoritarian characteristics typically ban free speech and target truthful, factual and irrefutable analyses and perspectives on government and political leadership’s policy and decisions having adverse impact on people and society.

In a vibrant democracy, the citizens and press would be active and not fearful of raising legitimate queries on any issue without being traced, pursued and punished for exercising constitutional right on freedom of press and expression.

The authoritarian leadership deploy diverse means ranging from character defamation via entertainment such as political party funded movies, documentary and engage in threats and tirades using social media like You Tube, Facebook and Twitter to silence true voices against authority. Here is when tyranny emerge imposing gag order.

In the era where political leadership prioritize showmanship exhibiting false persona is yet another tell tale sign of fascination to stardom over statesmanship.

The staged projection of the leadership petting a leopard cub or filming weekend retreat to Siberia are presented to impress upon gullible mass on leadership prowess and fearlessness. The trend maintained to suppress reality.

In fact for any leadership more than petting a leopard cub or cheetah, the laudable act of bravery would be to persevere and practice democracy facing bold opposition on the side rather than confining political opposition to imprisonment on fabricated charges denying due process. In other parts of the world constitution subverted, election upended to gain or remain in power.

Likewise, the leadership strength is exemplified in democratic engagement with opposition. The democratic leadership would face any candidacy in election in recognition of fundamental rights of all citizens to run for public office including the position of Presidency or Prime Ministership.

The political attributes shine upon leadership ability to deal with challenges and crises accepting responsibility for failures and debacles during governance. Though such character is rare and a tall order, the easier approach finding scapegoat and extraneous factors is authoritarian 2.0 even 5.0 in 5G epoch.

The political leadership dramatic posing in various costumes oscillating from Samrat (Emperor) during political rallies to Sadhu (Hermit) emerging from a cave alluding to self as divine incarnate is delusional depicting desperate megalomaniacal act.

Meanwhile, the leadership miserably missing in action in the domestic and international front in containing pandemic, reversing economic collapse and importantly stymieing enemy invasion and occupation of homeland in the Himalayan region and coast to coast incursion speak volume on failed political performance.

Corruption culture thrives under authoritarianism. The systemic elimination of independent institutions and autonomy is executed abusing extra judicial executive order besides revoking constitutional restraints.

The authoritarian government agenda revolves around them and create stagnant political, economic and social conditions establishing life long appointment in the position of authority. The common tactics also include race baiting, religious discord, caste, class, gender discrimination and any or all divisive measures are considered favorable to extend term in office.

The worst is expecting population to appreciate and acknowledge the system as democratic republic.

These efforts resulting in oppression is indicative of ruling class and political establishment apprehension towards republic uprising and revival of real democracy.

Accordingly, the oligarchy run and funded political leadership and government gamble on resting democracy in coma – permanent sleep and numbness in order to prolong status quo.

Regardless, despotism replacing democracy in any governance geared towards one party system eliminating opposition depriving people representation is classic authoritarianism. 

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Author & Presenter 

PadminiArhant.com

Prakrithi.PadminiArhant.com 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

India – Exit Polls or Exaggerated Polls?

May 19, 2019

India – Exit Polls or Exaggerated Polls?

Padmini Arhant

In the latest extortion in the name of election with criminal-in-chief Narendra Modi exalted is fake euphoria to masquerade falsehood.

The exit polls otherwise exaggerated polls is the work of criminal enterprise soon to crumble in the face of corruption, violence and massive vote rigging, manipulation with election commission shackled allowing mob rule to override electoral rules and model code of conduct.

Libya’s (late) Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, Iraq’s former President Saddam Hussein, Egypt’s expelled President Hosni Mubarak and the likes met their fate in recent memory.

Despotism to displace democracy proved a disaster to those rejecting national freedom and gross human rights violations for personal and political gains.

History repeating itself is the tradition delivering same outcome experienced by authoritarianism.

Padmini Arhant

Author & Presenter PadminiArhant.com

Prakrithi.PadminiArhant.com

Briefing – Imperialism Impact on Civilization

May 8, 2014

From: Padmini Arhant

Dear Citizens,

You are invited to the briefing on Imperialism impact on Civilization scheduled in approximately 30 mins to your local time.

Thank you for your participation.

Padmini Arhant

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