So now we are moving friends.
I am going to write about the Benazir Bhutto tradegy. I think,as do most people, that it was a terrible tradegy that Benazir was killed. Its a tradegy for her family, also for her party and also for the people of Pakistan. But I have serious reservations about dynasty politics. What is it about the sub continent and the continance of dynasty politics. With Benazir's death now its Bilawal Zardari, all ready with his new name Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Really, we don't seem to understand the whole thing about democracy.
Ditto in India, we just can' seem to have an alternative in the Congress party besides the Gandhi family, then there is the Scindia family and the Sheikhs in J&K, Karunandhi and Stalin in TN and so and and so forth. Its an all party phenomenon and the sub continent revels in it. Though the phenomenon is not restricted to Asian countries only as even the US has examples of political dynasties with George Bush and the Clintons the current families in news.
Wonder what others have to say about it.
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3 comments:
Hi all,
am writing simply to inaugurate the new blog! Sonal - you bring out one of the most prominent aspects of Southasian politics - dynastic rule, family and nepotism. But i'm glad you pointed out some male aspects too, and that male politicians too piggy back on their families. Else there is a needless focus on women - Indira, Sonai, Srimavo, Khaleda, Sheikh Hasina etc. Recently read a piece that highlighted the fact that this is not restricted to Southasia (though it is certainly more dominant here) - look at George W Bush following in papa Bush's footsteps, now Hillary etc. It's not that these women don't have charisma and leadership, but the role of family can't be overlooked.
Guess dynasties, because of their successive rule over a period of time, become strong brands and assume important positions in the minds of the voters. This brand positioning often works in the favour of the dynasties since voters can love them or hate them but can't write them off permanently.
Guess dynasties, because of their successive rule over a period of time, become strong brands and assume important positions in the minds of the voters. This brand positioning often works in the favour of the dynasties since voters can love them or hate them but can't write them off permanently.
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