The turmoil in West Asia may be giving sleepless nights to Arab sheikhs, emirs and military rulers of those regions. The fear of losing power to forces of democracy and being called to explain for their centuries-old debauchery is real.
But if they care to have a look at the body politic of world’s largest democracy, they would realize that much of their perceived losses (my apology to 2G scam) are either short term or totally unfounded.
For the rulers who are terminally narcissistic (I am sure for most emirs and sheikhs it is their second nature) a trip to Lucknow would be very reassuring. There the omnipresent statues of our elected (and that too with thumping majority) ‘behenji’ would make them realize that democracy after all is not that harsh on narcissists and megalomaniacs.
Those enamoured with power but too lazy or intimidated to take up responsibilities, a visit to our first family - the Gandhis - would be quite enlightening. They can see for themselves how power without accountability works. If anything goes right the family takes the credit and if anything goes wrong – well then there are fall guys dime a dozen.
As for learning how dynastic or family rule works in a democracy they would be spoilt for choices. The phenomenon has been so rampant and decentralized that every party, every state and every panchayat could provide them with very insightful lessons about the various facets of this phenomenon.
Those who fear that erstwhile monarchs cannot stand a chance in electoral politics, a visit to the Scindia family in Gwalior would be an eye-opener. They would realize that way to democracy from monarchy is but a seamless small step.
In case they lose power and loath to dirty their feet in rough and tumble of politics they can take lessons from Nira Radia about a more quieter but enterprising and equally lucrative pursuit like lobbying.
If these monarchs think that democracy means an end to their wild criminal ways, then , a visit to our Parliament and meeting some of the ‘lawmakers’ with criminal records would put them at ease. They would realize that chances of prosecution in a democracy is as elusive as finding polar bear in Saudi Arabia!
The bottom line is that if they play their cards well and persevere they would be surprised to know that even in democracies they need not take sanyas from their kingsize lives.
But if they care to have a look at the body politic of world’s largest democracy, they would realize that much of their perceived losses (my apology to 2G scam) are either short term or totally unfounded.
For the rulers who are terminally narcissistic (I am sure for most emirs and sheikhs it is their second nature) a trip to Lucknow would be very reassuring. There the omnipresent statues of our elected (and that too with thumping majority) ‘behenji’ would make them realize that democracy after all is not that harsh on narcissists and megalomaniacs.
Those enamoured with power but too lazy or intimidated to take up responsibilities, a visit to our first family - the Gandhis - would be quite enlightening. They can see for themselves how power without accountability works. If anything goes right the family takes the credit and if anything goes wrong – well then there are fall guys dime a dozen.
As for learning how dynastic or family rule works in a democracy they would be spoilt for choices. The phenomenon has been so rampant and decentralized that every party, every state and every panchayat could provide them with very insightful lessons about the various facets of this phenomenon.
Those who fear that erstwhile monarchs cannot stand a chance in electoral politics, a visit to the Scindia family in Gwalior would be an eye-opener. They would realize that way to democracy from monarchy is but a seamless small step.
In case they lose power and loath to dirty their feet in rough and tumble of politics they can take lessons from Nira Radia about a more quieter but enterprising and equally lucrative pursuit like lobbying.
If these monarchs think that democracy means an end to their wild criminal ways, then , a visit to our Parliament and meeting some of the ‘lawmakers’ with criminal records would put them at ease. They would realize that chances of prosecution in a democracy is as elusive as finding polar bear in Saudi Arabia!
The bottom line is that if they play their cards well and persevere they would be surprised to know that even in democracies they need not take sanyas from their kingsize lives.
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