The Philosopher King

Offstumped will be off for a few weeks on sabbatical. As normal blogging is paused, the following question crossed the mind on the purpose of blogging. What is it that keeps us coming back day after day. The answer to that question perhaps differs for different people. But here are some thoughts that Offstumped leaves behind to reflect on while on sabbatical.

The L.K. Advani memoirs saw an extensive interview with Prabhu Chawla of the India Today (link courtesy regular reader Prashant). In the interview Prabhu brings up an interesting point, Offstumped has copy pasted the exchange below.

Q. This is your story as well as the story of Indian politics. Now you could be the next ruler of India. You must have some clear-cut idea of what you would like to do?
A: The epilogue talks about it.

Q: That is very philosophical. As prime minister, you cannot be the philosopher-king always.
A: King is different. In Hindustan, in a public democracy, it is the people around us, experts like you, who help.?

Q: I did not mean literally king. It’s like Narasimha Rao, the scholar king.
A: I know. But let me tell you one thing. Everyone gave the finance minister credit but if not for Narasimha Rao, this would not have taken place. Liberalisation and globalisation are Narasimha Rao’s contribution. In a democracy, it is the political leadership that counts.

Earlier in 2007 on the eve of the 60th anniversary of Indian Independence Offstumped had penned a piece on Leadership that lamented not just on the Prime Minister’s lack of political leadership but also on what constitutes strong leadership.

Leadership is about standing up for unpopular causes.

Leadership is about selling the abstract to the masses.

Leadership is about creating a political constituency where none exists for your agenda and seeking a mandate for your actions from that constituency.

Leadership is not just about doing what is Right but being able to explain it, sell it, defend it with a populist message.

This notion leadership also finds its echo in the piece on the need for a Strong Executive that epitomizes the ancient Indian symbol – the Shveta Chhatra. Offstumped has on many occassions dwelt at length on the strong undercurrent in India in favor of a strong executive. The Narendra Modi led BJP win in Gujarat while highlighting this also exposed how public debate is yet to catch up?on the costs of a weak political leadership.

So coming back to the original question of “purpose”, why blog ?

It is increasingly becoming clear to this blogger that it is the quest for that elusive Philospher King that defines the purpose of this blog.

The notion of a Philosopher King comes to the western world from Plato but then when you rewind back further into history to the Mahabharatha and the story of the Yaksha and the magic pond one realizes that when Yudhistra is quizzed on the nature of Dharma it is the same notion of a Philosopher King.

But why this notion of the Philosopher King ?

Because National Interest is not served solely by a representative democracy. Representative democracy is a pre-requisite, the only acceptable “means” to shaping our destiny in modern times.?

But representative democracy must also produce Leadership that can deliver us to the “end” – that rightful place in the world order where every Indian has not just the freedom to realize his or her aspirations but the strategic interests of Indians as a whole are secured.

We are seeing more evidence every single day of how weak political leadership combined with an all pervasive left of center mindset of political correctness is compromising national interest every step of the way.

Offstumped is more than convinced that the Left cannot and will not produce the kind of Leadership that epitomizes the philosopher king. The left’s world view is rooted in a deep sense of guilt and political correctness from which can arise only politics of indignation and entitlement.

So where does that leave the quest for the Philsopher King ?

Can an Advani with his best yet to come or a? Modi with his philosophy of minimum government and maximum governance be that Philosopher King? or will the quest for the Philosopher King remain elusive ?

Time will tell but the Litmus Test will be such Political Leadership’s ability to not just govern and deliver but to secure and advance Indian Interests beyond the obvious frontiers of territory and of the mind.

With these thoughts Offstumped embarks on a sabbatical and will return soon.

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