Election fever is everywhere today. People are totally immersed in discussions on politics. News channels and newspapers are chanting politics mantra. There are surveys saying this party will win, that candidate is looking strong, etc. All this is fine, but if you involve into too much of these things, you will lose sight of the big picture – the reason we are voting, assessing the right candidate and the need to elect a right candidate.
We thought of sharing some concepts in politics which we hope will help you think from the bigger picture and you stay sensible at this crucial time.
Trusteeship
A trustee is a member of a group who has the power to carry out a task in trust with the responsibility to do the task exclusively for the purpose that has been specified. In other words, the trustee cannot put the system into use for personal benefit. He can do so for the common good of the society. All the members are equally entitled to get benefit from the trust.
Crony capitalism
Crony capitalism is an economic structure where the success of a business depends on its relationship with government officials. The government officials help the business by sanctioning permits, relaxing rules, etc.
Public office
Simply put, public office is associated with a position that is concerned with all people. In modern system of politics, public office implies occupying position involving people representatives in ruling.
Servant leadership
It is a way of leading people based on certain values. Traditionally leadership means having considerable power and influence. The top leadership lies at the top of the pyramid. Servant leadership concept is based on the natural feeling that one wants to offer service to others first, and the self later.
Cross voting
Cross voting is a tactic by cunning political leadership to split votes. A person who is a supporter of a political party will be influenced to vote for another party. Cross voting happens because of manipulation of voters by leaders/politicians. Simply put, voting for a party one does not belong to, or for more than one party.
Accountability
When it comes to politics, accountability is a sense of responsibility. Accountability is the awareness of responsibility and carefully executing it as required.
Today’s politicians’/leaders’ accountability is diametrically opposite what it should be. Our leaders seem to have accountability just on the eve of voting. Once elected, they hardly show any respect for it.
Intraparty democracy
Intra-party democracy refers to the democratic process within a single-party. Voting happens within the party to select the candidate who will be representing the party in the elections. Parties using internally democratic procedures are likely to select more capable and appealing leaders.
Authoritarianism
Authoritarianism is a state of governance in which, unquestioning obedience is demanded on the part of those who are governed. Often, authoritarian action is biased, depending on the influence.
Democracy
Oxford dictionary of politics defines democracy as ‘A political system that allows the citizens to participate in political decision‐making, or to elect representatives to government bodies.’
Unlike in authoritarian government such as monarchy, dictatorship, communism, totalitarianism, the ordinary people participate in politics. This happens in the form of choosing the leadership by voting. People who are elected are expected to work for the people, because he is people’s leader.
Governance
Governance is a routine process of decision-making. Looking at governance, you can say how decisions are made. When it comes good governance, it indicates people’s positive expectation. Thus, good governance is the pattern of governance.
Vote Split
Vote split is an electoral effect in which the distribution of votes among multiple similar candidates reduces the chance of winning for any similar candidates, and increases the chance of winning for a dissimilar candidate.
Vote splitting shows its drastic effects on winners and losers in the elections. Due to vote splitting, popular candidates lose with smaller margins and unpopular candidates win with smaller margins.
Hope this article has helped you know briefly about the concepts in politics.
You may also like to read:
- How to Get Involved in Politics – Evaluate the Candidate Well
- How to Get Involved in Politics – Once You Decide to Vote in a Certain Way, Influence Others
- Choosing a Political Leader – Don’t Judge a Politician by His/Her Shortcoming, But by the Sensibility for Ruling
- Watch out for Influences that Manipulate you to Vote Against Your Interest
- Are the Educated Indians Illiterate in Politics?