Should India Adopt The Presidential System?

Love this debate! Why are women not participating in it? It is like in India women are almost a separate race or jaathi. They talk about cooking, children, marriage, having babies or raising babies, health issues, family issues, nuances of family or home care (like what specific masala to use for bright skin), compassion and nurture...all important! But when are men going to take cooking seriously and nurture children full time, while women, like me, run for office - single, divorced or with a boyfriend who can carry my handbag? :))

Would a Presidential type of government, in a highly patriarchal society, where women don't vote, vote mostly for candidates that their men insist on, or candidates that look like them (which happens even with some muddled clannish cronyistic middle class - fully accepting of business degress from Barton, Whatton, JagaNathan but not of Social Science education), work? Or, would it only help "men" get elected, or "a conformed and a compliant woman" get elected? (I did not mention Wharton...so please don't attack).

But I do have to admire the fact that Indians are much more accepting of their NRIs, and abroad-educated or abroad-worked Indians, than some countries...where a man of color is considered automatically "a foreigner or an outsider" who must produce his "birth certificate" for any office these days.

I don't see Trump asking for Mitt's birth certificate, or his Swiss bank account details. This same man who prides himself on demanding a certain President's birth certificate. And I have been critical of many Presidents...many of you just don't read that.

I wonder what many of you guys, with names like Subramaniyam, Sanjay, Patel, Shah, Singh, Battacharya, Benarjee...will go through if you run for the highest office? First you have to get out of Silicon Valley, New York city, Los Angeles...and do some traveling across the US like me! I did it alone, and with friends. And what will you say when you meet Joe the Plumber and Jane-or-Janaki-who-does-not-like-your-face-or-faith!

But in some cultures it is easier to pontificate to women as being too Westernized, too this or too that. Even Hillary, whose policies or principles you might not like, constantly had to explain her talking style, hair style, walking style and her bedroom relationship with her husband...Some liberation this! She is so exhausted she does not want to run at all. In fact research shows that having a thick skull and a thick skin helps win...which means lot of dodo thugs run. And good smart people don't, or they get constrained, converted, coopted or exhausted (like many Democrats or Liberals).

I wonder how many women will be told "not Indian enough or feminine enough" when assertively running for office. Obama had to constantly deal with "not American enough, not liberal enough, not Black enough (from his own Black community), not Jewish enough, not Muslim enough, not White enough...! He gets hit from all sides...

Imagine a smart Indian woman with no connection, clout or money running for office? Her own relatives might see her saree as not white enough, colorful enough, she is not thin enough, or rotund enough, not cooks enough or cooks too much, not smiling enough, smiles too much...the list goes on! If this comes from women..imagine the men?

Presidential or Prime Ministership...what will get the smart woman elected in the 21st century? Or is Indira it for the next century? Or are wives, daughters, sisters and students of political stalwarts the only way to go?

Electing a minority who is not an elite takes a lot of work...and support. As one woman Senator admitted, no name will be given, "I have to sometimes cry alone, keep my feelings to myself, cannot be too vulnerable or just human. Every little word I utter or a facial grimace I show is recorded and over analyzed. Because I am a widow who dresses well I was constantly suspeced of sleeping around, and could not go on dates without people assuming something or taping something or distorting something. Everything you do or don't is up for critical analysis! I miss the days before cell phone cameras when everything is recorded or distorted and used against you easily. Understanding women's psychology is one thing, the unique culture that a woman comes from is another, but understanding what it takes to get into office or stay there is completely another! Few understand it!"

One brilliant faculty, who should have been a President of a university, said, "I am not the cocktail party kind. I rarely go! But I am misunderstood for that. I like to keep my distance from people because it keeps my objectivity, neutrality and fairness. I get labed as cold, masculine or aloof for it! On the other hand I do not do favors for anyone unless it is helpful to the institution and the work we do. I manage to get people I think are brilliant. I will bend over backward to get them!"

This woman fought for my scholarship...and I got it without too much fight. I was that good! Still am in some ways! :)) But the nice and open kind get their head sat on! That I have seen!

Kindly publish my survey on desi immigrant and desi American men's attitude to "women and power". Great for discussion Mani and Ramayesh!

I critique all sides...and I have written bluntly about all patriarchies...so never assume I am one sided!

So, the question is...which will get an ordinary middle class woman elected fast and fair?

i'm reminded of how some people of an older generation used to say that India would be better of with dictatorship- i think they had the same idea in mind, that one good leader would make a big differance in helping root out the nonsense that exists in Indian polity. But the other end of the spectrum....can't help but wonder.

i'd like to send a little love to Dr. MS for her comments, i love reading them !

Saaveri,

Thanks for the compliment. For so many mediocre Indian and American men :)), who steal ideas from others and try to write bad books and make mediocre movies with it, and after making money and gaining support, to preach that "psychological strangulations" do not matter is pretty presumptuous...don't you think?

Support does matter, compliments with the right evaluation do matter, and rewards do matter. That is why some people escape some cultures and countries where these opportunities, support and appropriate rewards do not come their way. But then again, unfortunately, the worst of it follows them with those immigrants who have remained (as some would say), "clueless or careless".

It is like what one funny sweet daring young woman said to me many years ago, " I came here to escape all that sexism, control, do-this, do-that, get married, blah, blah in my family, community and culture. But many people who came before me, with me and after me carry the same attitudes and beliefs here. I am also learning that there are such idiots in other communities as well. I am stuck in the same place though I am in a different space."

The new problem is that so many countries, especially among the middle class, produce a lot of BAs and MAs with too many opinions and comments up their wazoos - even on issues that they have no clue about. Do you see me commenting on bio-technology, dancing and singing? I may express my appreciation, dislike or rejection...but I do not sit and analyze stem cell research, Kalyanee Raagam and Bharata Natyam. I do not have the expertise on these issues.

Why is it idiots who do not read a single book on poverty, inequality, the Constitution and social issues, have opinions on critical social issues up their wazoo? Now they have made three idiots into heroes also! :)) Dumb and dumber is " supposedly cute" and selling these days. But I will defend our boys! Goddesses and leaders do with a purpose and a stick (pointed at the boys, and some girls)! :))

You sort-of got it right! There is a difference between dictatorship versus firmness and/or clarity. In cultures and countries where direct clear communication is rare, even polite firmness may appear autocratic. In not-so-smart systems where diversity, diverse psychology or personality, and complexity are not well understood or well integrated...dictatorship is "simple, easy and easily complied to".

A liberal functioning Democracy requires the highest level of thought, reflection, intelligent discussions, social awareness, social knowledge, self awareness, insightful political participation and social action. How many such democracies do you know?

Even in the US, officially a democracy, it is amazing how many Wall Street-Washington guys admit that "If it is a choice between uber capitalism and democracy" they prefer capitalism.

And those of us who were always careful, frugal and ever giving, while also being ever responsible, are forced to give more and more. As one woman noted, "We are not rich enough to hire lawyers and cheat the system, we are not poor enough to be eligible for some of the protections. We are stuck: giving away bailouts without our consent, and giving handouts out of empathy and sympathy. When do I get the break?"

She will not...until the priorities and the paradigm shifts. Until more people wake up, or are shaken up...And they take on their own jerks in their own communities.

Al Sharpton, a man whose blutness I like, said, "Yes, yes...you conservative guys always want the good ole days. The good ole days of racism, sexism, etc. Lot of that was acceptable until we made it not-acceptable!"

But before sexism could be adequately eliminated one has to deal with certain kinds of male collusion or collision that might keep sexism going. And in some societies women's collusion with men, not real partnership or shared power, only benefits men.

What all of this does is "strangulate the mind of the intelligent, the creative, the dignified and the pro-active who also happen to be humble and helpful".

I do believe in heroine worship - at least for a short while! Not the bimbo movie stars, or the narrow roles shown in our media over and over again.

It takes a lot of support of the outsider to get her or him to office. After two or three terms you can choose to send them flying from office or their window. But to get there...you need "full support"!

That is why some countries have both election and selection. They know that election alone, with idiots, is not sufficient. :)) Sorry for some crude words!

Some countries change a lot without real development, and some people take the worst of their countries and culture wherever they go. This is true for lot of countries. Ask my Anglo American colleagues about the "American abroad". :)) There is even a British series called, "The Idiot Abroad" - produced by the same guy who made the brilliant "The Office".

Democracy is a process and is precious...It takes a lot to construct it, sustain it and to alter it well. To make it work for those who most need it, or to make it work for the poor and the disenfranchised, it requires thought at the highest of levels, negotiations even at the lowest of levels and discussion at all levels. Think about that!

If we can move forward without too many ups and downs, and without always moving up or down...it would be great!

Take care Saaveri...

You guys are suffering from grass is greener on the other side. What national purpose in the US? Everyone feels we are divided as a country polarized between two parties. Party politics is huge, and vicious. As for horse trading.... Do you think the Occupy movement or even tea party movement would have happened in the US if the people felt our politicians were not selling us out to special interests? For whatever reason, no other country has been able to do the US political system - probably for a good reason. There are other political parties besides Republicans and Democrats but there is never enough votes to get a third party in power, so these two dominant and the country is stuck with a defacto two party system, which many voters feel makes them take voters for granted.

After posting some response to several articles I recieved a funny email with a frog with an ethnic term (taken from this website) and a recommendation to break the "rope or ties". What does that mean? And who is sending these kinds of badly done, badly written and badly developed indirect "threats, advice, recommendation...whatever"?

It is silly, juvenile, crude and unevolved!

Are people so insecure that that they think because I disagree about something they say or state, dissent from their views and analysis, or critique something they have written inside or outside this website, that somehow I have moved to the opposite side? And what is that opposite side they assume...or fear?

It is like people trying to pin some leader or a writer with the "Socialist, Communist, Foreigner, anti-Family, anti-Religion, anti-Democracy...labels"! All while they fit some of these labels themselves!

It is like those who protested during Bush-Cheney's reign being accused of "galavanting with the enemy ; being unpatriotic ; being a security threat ; converting to another religion or culture...". Where is this insecurity, paranoia and low-level thinking coming from?

I am far too smart, intellectually independent and insightful to be taken in by all this emotional manipulation. In the end whichever group is doing this will lose its smart women, and will not get me on their side. Whoever is doing this must stop pretending to be my family, friend or someone I know. I see through it well! How crude, cunning and low-level behavior!

And wherever you are: here, there or in NYC - who knows, stop! You are only digging your own pit. Some people are always prone to colonialism, and some continue to colonize. Know who your real opposition is...and do not just project!

Ray,

Remember that there is a difference between a President, the Congress and the Supreme Court. If you feel that the people are stuck with a two party system that acts like one on important foreign and domestic policies, which require serious discussions, debates and deliberations (with the right diversity, disagreements and divergence in views), while wedge issues have become the exclusive dividing line...imagine what it must feel like for some leaders who must deal with the devil on both sides.

I am sure you understand! One can see how reactionary forces are under play when changes are underway...or just fear of change is underway.

There is a wonderful saying, "If you stay some might play, if you play some might decay, but if you sit still for some days...some truth might just bray". You decide who is doing what and which!

Of course there is Congress has a different function than the President, but it pretty much is divided on party lines when voting on legislation. I was addressing the rosy views in the author's piece that is not there in the US in reality. The politics is viscious and divisive here with no sense of national purpose, and the only people getting included be them from academia or private sector are the same type of people who get included anywhere - the ones with the right political connections. If you want to change to the US system, do it after really understanding it, with all the ugly political points not just the pollyanna view that only an outsider looking in could have.

I agree with your last statement! Few understand the ugliness both on the ground and at the top...which gets worse when there is growing inequality, injustice and desperation.Some of it fed by a biased, elitist or corporate media.

We are hearing that there are big funders manipulaing even the Republican primaries so Mitt can win, and Santorum, with his lead, might sue and even get to a divided convention...All this with Ron Paul claiming that he has more delegates. Crazy everywhere. And there may be some serious protests at these conventions from both sides, and people are worried there might be police in military combat shooting. It is all worrisome.

While this drama is going on, a Greek or Greek-like tragedy, we have Congress restricting women's right to contraception...which is a public health issue even in predominantly Catholic countries like Spain, Portugal, Italy, Ireland and much of Latin and South America.

It is all going backward, while ordinary citizens are not able to run, provoke the right discussions and participate in their own democracy. What this does in some communities is create a reactionary psychology, like in some colonized countries.

In such reactionary environments there will be growing traditionalism, extremism, feudal patriarchy, re-emergence of racism, classism, old sexism, ethnocentricism and old colonial attitudes, insularity, provincialism, simplistic thinking, rigid heirarchy and even fascism.

If you complain you'll be accused of being difficult, different or crazy...and the system will find 1001 ways to creatively oppress you, silence you and sideline you.

But intellectuals are not always well respected or well integrated in such a system where "anti-intellectualism is high, business values are high and confusion on social and cultural issues are high. These latter problems are further used by the elites and the reactionary forces.

I think a lot of Brown people are neither elites, nor conscious supporters or colluders with elitism. They are the babus who are either stuck in the margins or in the middle...struggling to be understood by all sides, bashed from all sides and at times help all sides or the oppressed with little understanding for their struggles. One becomes quickly a used person, ignored person, irrelevant person, misunderstood person and misused person. That is scary! Academic or not!

Some among them are scapegoated, and at times misunderstood and mistreated by clueless elements in their own community.

As activists note, "It is mostly poverty, desperation, anger and rage that drives many on the ground. It is sometimes confusion, conflict, concerns and compassion that drive some in the middle...but it is always arrogance, fear (of change), entitlement, privilege and power that drives the reactions from the top and their fascism!

In face some of the essays might not be intelligent or intellectual...it may be pseudo-intellectual. The latter is even more worrisome than the former.

Dr. MS,

'Why is it idiots who do not read a single book on poverty, inequality, the Constitution and social issues, have opinions on critical social issues up their wazoo? Now they have made three idiots into heroes also! :)) '

I'm glad to note that said pseudo-intellectual got on your nerves as well as he did on mine. No one says it better than Sir Peter Medawar,a Biologist, Rationalist and Nobel Laureate here- " The spread of secondary and latterly of tertiary education has created a large population of people, often with well-developed literary and scholarly tastes, who have been educated far beyond their capacity to undertake analytical thought."

Please write to me at saaveri.pavan@gmail.com, would love to chat more !

Saaveri

Dear Saaveri,

I will admit Medawar's work is very good!

There are brilliant rationalists, thinkers, intellectuals and others within the Indian subcontinent. And Medawar's ideas have been purported by many around the world: including in Asia, South America, Africa and many other places that do not receive attention as "civilized, thoughtful and thinking" societies - primarily due to centuries of colonialism and colonized global perception. This is true for the US as well.

There are women thinkers and intellectuals too.

I find too many, including women, from third world or colonized countries, deferring to others too often. You can quote me too...with my permission. :)) Said with humility.

You can quote yourself too!

Thank you for your invitation! I shall certainly keep it in mind.

But you know this is more than just an intellectual debate: one that keeps smart people occupied or preoccupied.

It is one that requires action and transformation...at many levels. Including at the level of social awareness, self awareness, development of policy, implementation of policy, creation of communities with the right perception, programs and pro-activeness...equality and justice.

This kind of awareness is necessary in the US too. I know people in Iowa who never go to Chicago because they think it is too dangerous, different, difficult and deviant. Yet there are those among them who think all countries in the ME are rich and first world. Imagine a kid in Ramalla, Yemen or certain parts of Israel having to deal with people who think they are all "rich and first world". If so much ignorance exists among the so-called educated in these places, with so much social support, how does anything change?

I wish you well, I hopw you will continue to promote the talent pool in your community and among your women..even if they are not always easy to get along with. :))

I think people like you and others, and even those who read this magazine, have so much more to offer.

Take care

Dr.MS

Thanks for this piece, I found it so compelling and accurate.