As international citizens, thinking people, whatever national identity we wear, however tightly fitting it might be, we choose how we engage with matters of the world at large. Just as the bureaucrats, police and politicians can decide their particular ethical brand and style of participation in political processes, equally each one of us decides the degree to which we attempt to participate in developing a democratic and fair world.
India right now, is abuzz with social activism as a citizen movement led by Anna Hazare demands the right to a corrupt-free India. Hazares “Fast unto Death” pledge has created a renewed sense of hope and vitality that there is huge commitment and citizenship willing to show-up and be involved in shaping the evolution of the country. In a similar vein to the trajectory of Nelson Mandela, who virtually became President of South Africa from his prison cell, it appears Anna Hazare is rapidly becoming the moral commander of India. Along with him, countless Indians took a pledge to fast, whilst 100,000s protested across the country. Those who were fasting, including Hazare are eating once again, thanks to political pledges to design an adequate anti-corruption Jan Lokpal Agreement. But it’s clear that Hazare will be back on his “Fast unto Death”, and no doubt thousands of others will join him if his expectations are not met. His passion, his commitment is rooted very firmly in the plight of the poor of India, who after all, suffer most at the hands of corruption.
The very moment expectations of incorruptibility falls, evolutionary pressure bears down and we start to experience shifts. Evolutionary pressure to be better depends on expectations of standards regarding honesty or corrupt practices, which the drafting of the Jan Lokpal Bill seeks to address. If the public has low expectations, they will end up confirming them. In turn, this leads to further citizen apathy. Apathy is understandable, given the anti-corruption bill has been presented eight times since 1968 to no avail.
Despite the country’s population of over a billion people, the average number of whistle-blowers complaints of corruption through the Central Vigilance Commission, between 2005 and 2009, was a paltry annual average of 346. This cannot possibly be apathy alone, but a process that doesn’t work. System blockages, lack of flow, a sense there is no one to turn to, leaves any community constipated by its problems. When bureaucrats around the world evade their ethical responsibilities by hiding in procedural and plumbing excuses, it saps the human spirit. It erodes a dignified sense of empowerment. It also tells us of the low level of leadership development, known in psychological circles as the “Expert” level of leadership we are dealing with. In psychological terms, it is the tyranny of “Schizoid” functioning. This is a clinical term to describe a constellation of lack of affect, of emotional deadness, a cold, indifference towards others, often accompanied by insidious smirks and other odd physical characteristics. A constipated culture blocks our energy so much so, that for many, it appears they exist under a veil of depression. Yet escaping to complacency and apathy, as I am clearly hinting at here, maybe a disease more virulent than at least attempting to shape our global evolution, even if we fail.
What is powerful here in India, unlike say the social activism of Egypt, is that the youth of India have the stately leadership figure of Anna Hazare, whose commitment to the people of India is dignified and impressive. Unlike India, other social movements have faced the tyranny of insidious press silence, no access to the internet or telephones. In the minds of many here, perhaps assisted by the articulations of the press, the spirit of Gandhi has returned, as has a degree of faith in leadership and decency. Once again, this “Second Freedom Struggle” as the press are coining it, arises from a base of personal, rather than positional power.
Great expectations energise the bureaucrats and politicians against corruption and keep the fire of political and social activism burning. While power corrupts and corruption undermines the legitimacy of power, the prospects for social and economic development crucially depends on the evolution of a web of expectations. Your expectations, my expectations. All expectations begin in the mind, with a simple self-reflection, of “How do I expect to be treated?” Higher levels of consciousness ask, “How do we expect our children to be treated?” Higher levels again, ask “What should all our children’s children have a right expect?”
“Will this movement fizzle out?” some ask. I doubt it. There’s too much (1) vision for a corruption-free India, too much traction of real (2) dissatisfaction and too much solid thinking concerning (3) implementation. These are the three ingredients required for deep change to occur. Time will tell no-doubt. Nevertheless, within two days of Anna Hazare ending his fast, the Finance Minister announced that India will be ratifying the United Nations convention on corruption “Soon”. This will mean that it is much easier to reclaim corruption money in tax havens overseas, that official will be expected to comply with codes of conduct, and disclose financial assets. As the UN literature states, "offences committed in support of corruption, including money-laundering and obstructing justice, are also dealt with."
The day I write this, a friend of mine is angry and despairing of the corruption dilemma he faces. There are consequences if he accedes to paying a bribe and there are consequences if he doesn’t. My only advice to him is to “Imagine you are ninety years old, looking back on your life, what you want to see that you did today?” Sadly, whether in a country or a corporation, the human citizen is often feels left with merely one final recourse of action. I will give you my feedback about this country, about this corporation by leaving. Talent walks out the door, and takes a plane somewhere else. This beautiful country called India will potentially lose a critical mass of talent if basic expectations of decency are not met. When leaders don’t listen fully and act expediently what else can they expect? The significant factor distinguishing those of higher levels of leadership is timely action. “Soon” cannot be soon enough.
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