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As it is: Democracy

    Let me clarify. This is not an attempt to define the concept of democracy, nor a prose to discuss what it was meant to be or what it ought to be. This is simply about what democracy is - out there, everywhere, as observed and applied. Okay? Alright. Let's go. 

    Humans are dramatic animals. We are not comfortable being true to ourselves. Everything has to be enveloped in a sweet narrative. We developed the narrative of legitimacy to license power. Democracy is a part of this narrative of legitimacy. In other words, democracy is an explanation we love to hear about how the powerful acquired power in the first place. So far as power is gained by a process deemed democratic, most of us feel safe, secure, and cradled in the nectar of  human wellness. Beyond that, it is nothing. Okay, one value notion may be added; but only because it is out there (to some extent): requirement for majority (not really). 

    So how does it all work together - democracy as requirement for majority, and legitimization of power? It mostly depends on the specifics of the structure within which power has been devised. Yet, much is the same. With legitimate and political power up for grab, the socially dominant organize themselves into factions. This is done to ensure that the powerless never attain any effective say, and sold with the narrative of efficiency. Each faction reaches out to the masses and narrates whatever the people are out to buy. Before the social media boom, it was difficult to gauge their shopping list. Now, social media does not only reflect their 'wishlist', but also designs and drafts it. So any need to gauge the people's need is thrown out the window. Further, majority is not merely about the people; inter-institutional comity also comes into play. That is it?

    Oh yes - those who legitimize power. They have their alternative narratives to choose from. Periodically, they are presented with altered forms of these narratives, and they make their choice. The faction that gets the majority (not necessarily; alright, not always; depends you know; alright - the one who is chosen by the larger number of people; again, not necessarily; just leave it!) receives the license to power. Having given the license, democracy waits - till the next elections or any subsequent political creativity. And the people return to whatever they were doing (obviously after posting that mandatory picture with a glorious repetition of whatever they have bought from the narrative of democracy and their faction). 

   This is not the conceptual content of democracy? Sure, it isn't. Pretty nihilistic? Surely! If you have the eyes, aspects of reality carry some nihilism. This is not what democracy is supposed to be? Maybe! Who knows what the state formative text means when it aspires to have a democratic state! There might be more to democracy as it is - but this is what is visible. There might be more to see, but who has the bandwidth!

     

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