“One of the penalties of refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.” – Plato
Politics is often frustrating, dirty, and rough; so much so that even the most dedicated of the citizens can develop a sense of hopelessness with government and choose to remain silent. But instead of being in the silent majority, it is critical for us to do just the opposite – become more informed and active citizens and ensure that our voice is being heard.
We are lucky to live in a democracy, only four out of every 10 people get that luxury around the world. We have the power to choose our leaders. Thus, it is very important for us to take part in the political process. Here are 7 reasons why all of us should be politically active –
1. Our hard-earned money is at stake
The government wants more and more of us to pay taxes of all kinds, there is income tax, GST, excise tax, customs duties, property tax, Swatch Bharat cess, educational cess, and many others. The government keeps ignoring the fact that the average Indian is poor and earns slightly over ₹1.2 lakh annually. Every time you buy something you pay tax on it even if you do not realise it. If we are not politically active, politicians and bureaucrats will keep using our money for their personal gains.
2. We need to pull ourselves out of poverty and ignorance
India is a rich country, but we Indians are poor. We have much more wealth than we realise. An immense amount of our wealth is controlled by the government. Every Indian, rich or poor, rightfully owns a share in the public wealth of India – land, PSUs, minerals, telecom spectrum etc. With the return of this wealth, we could eradicate poverty and put India on an irreversible path to prosperity. Only by being politically active we can demand that the government returns our wealth to us.
3. Participation strengthens democracy
If we do not play our part in the largest democracy in the world, we undermine all the powers and privileges bestowed upon us. One vote or a single question raised could make a difference, maybe it would not. But either way, we must be involved in the process. “One of the penalties of refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.”- Plato
4. Being informed keeps politicians accountable
Only a well-informed voter can keep the politicians on their toes so that they could be held accountable. There have been many instances when corrupt and powerful politicians (and sometimes their children as well) have been sent behind bars because people like you and I spoke up against their wrongdoings.
5. To have a say in your future
The people in power wield enormous influence in our lives. Our present and future are decided as much by them as by us, regardless of the effectiveness of the government. We must be politically active if we want to shape our destiny. Otherwise, as time-tested wisdom suggests, we will be ruled by power-hungry politicians who only think of themselves. “Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you.” – Pericles Read more from our daily section
6. To stop bad policies from getting implemented
The best way to stop bad policies is to stop them from being created is only by being well-informed and politically active. If we do not know what economic and social policies the government is forming and implementing, we can never stop the bad ones from being implemented. The history of independent India is a history of one bad economic decision after another and only an active civil society will change that.
7. Well-informed decisions will make us prosperous
If we do not step-in and vote for the right candidate and policies, we are doomed to repeat the same mistakes we have made for the last seventy years and continue with the perpetually planned poverty. We must try to find out what is happening. We must learn which policies benefit us and actively promote them so that we can become prosperous and live in that heaven of freedom that our forefathers dreamt of.
