It is the individual’s choice that eventually creates a collective will. There is no way one cannot choose. Each volition comes with a resulting effect. That is why it is so powerful. The world we experience is the result of what we have made collectively.
The power of an individual can never be overstressed, and needs to be remembered when we go out to vote. Given the venality and other sordid qualities running through the veins of Indian politics, it will be tempting to be cynical about politicians and elections thereof. Blaming the system without in any way attempting to set it right is a travesty society cannot afford to indulge in.
Making a choice is not only a right, but is also duty in the context of elections. In this case, not making a choice amounts to a willful and criminal negligence of duty. It is wrong to think that by not voting a person is making a choice of staying away from the political cesspool.
Such an unthinking approach only makes politics more murky. In this land of fatalism and midnight destiny, it is tempting to equate politics with astrology and come at the facile conclusion: We are not in control of our stars. This is fallacy, if we want it or not, stars and planetary positions are going to affect us. In a civil, and democratically elected system, we are the masters of the stars. Our selection may be wrong, but then we can decide to be wrong about it. In astrology, we cannot! Think about it. There is an option to go wrong by our own choice.
There is another option to go wrong without any choice. Is not choosing the option of going wrong by our own choice better in a way? So it seems better to vote and fail rather than simply fail.
For whom? Just grapple with this parable: Have you seen the ants pulling in a piece of food ? Observe them carefully. All of them will not be pulling in the same direction. Different ants will push the food in different directions. The resultant movement is not exactly in the path desired by ants. So they push and pull again. By trial and error, they try to keep track of the path they need to arrive at their destination. It is the same way in democracy. The push and pulls will not effect the desired result. But then by trial and error, democracy takes the path closest to the desired one.
So, vote for a person whom you think to be the best to reach your own objectives in life. It could be even based on caste, religion, ideology, principles, charisma, emotional appeal or even skin color. But vote you must. And if he or she fails you, no problem. You can show him the metaphorical middle finger next time around too. Democracy is all bout chance. And choice. Make it wisely tomorrow.
