Ten Commandments of a Self, Society and the Successful State?
Never before in the last hundred years, our lives have been brought to such unexpected halt.
In between binge-watching Netflix and frustrating helplessness, this confinement has forced us to question our work, our family, our friends, our neighbours, our society and our nation. It has also provided us with an opportunity to reflect upon our deep seated beliefs — our value system — the bad and…good…and ultimately anxiety, fear and…death.
Perhaps the greatest damage has been caused to our sense of self and to a lesser extent our dependence on the vulnerabilities of the state. We realised, suddenly, that have outsourced our lives to a small group of powerful but disconnected governing elites whose decisions could expose us to financial and economic ruins and ultimately death. The media, the fake news, the questionable medical devices and inadequacy of healthcare. Children’s education. Our employment, skils.. jobs. Our businesses and Banking and Finance. All shaken and brought bare.
Is it time for citizens to rewrite the equations of power to ensure their well being remains, resolutely and unquestioningly, in their own hands? That political leaders do not strip them of their rights — earned over a hundred years — in the guise of a phoney Covid fight?
What are the contours of a Fair Society? A Platonic State?
A successful society is one that constantly evolves to meet the challenges of progress, welfare, equity and comfortable livelihoods — while taking care of its environment and the spiritual needs of its citizens. Such a society is free of violence of all kinds — physical, emotional, intellectual and psychological and strives for a sense of achievement, fulfilment and mental peace and bliss — underpinned by an open, rule based, meritocratic and a participative democracy.
All human beings have need for a) Protection of life and property b) Physical and material comforts c) Social and communal well being d) Educational and Artistic pursuits e) Expectations of Fairness and Equity f) Spirituality and Bliss.
The question is; how do you provide them within the framework of a functioning state?
There are some hints available in nation states like Singapore and the Nordic societies. Even New Zealand.
Having been a cadet with the National Cadet Corps — a wing of the Indian Armed Forces, at school, I consider some kind of military training as a social good. It shapes character and enthuses patriotism and sense of civic duty. I am happy that the BJP Government is introducing a 3 year short commission. Singapore has a compulsory military training for its citizens. Every state should have one.
The need for a Universal Basic Income — in the coming years, when robots will replace routine jobs, is becoming imperative. So is the need for free education and a liberal welfare state — an area where Mauritius, despite its bickering political class, has been able to do exceedingly well.
Here is a list of ten requirements that I thought would constitute a reasonably fair state. It is a list I have gleaned from various sources. The ideas are not necessarily mine but I would like to live in a society that meets them most.
1. Physical and Material Resources: Good and comfortable housing for all with generous supply of water and electricity and other amenities. Road and bridges to take people to work and perform other economic activities. Good healthcare and sports facilities.
2. Welfare Resources: Free schooling for children and care for the elderly. State support to ensure the development of well rounded individuals with a sense of responsibility to the nation. Facilities for sports, entertainment, recreation and meditation.
3. Equity: An equitable society is like a beautiful mosaic that reflects the aspiration, efforts and the dreams of all individuals and groups embedded in it.
It is also a society in which efforts are rewarded with social prestige, recognition and regard rather than wealth and economic gains. A Universal Basic Income should be provided to each individual so that they are left to pursue social and economic interest of their choice without the fear of poverty and an uncertain income. This would encourage creativity, innovation, experimentation and invention — which in-turn has the potential to dramatically expand the overall social and economic capital base.
4. Jobs and Livelihoods: Every life should have 4 distinct careers ( spread over an average working life of 40 years). This means incomes are protected while individuals are provided with the opportunity to expand their horizons and enriched careers.
a) A short career in armed forces and police say 2 years
b) Career in Government/Public /Civil Service/Education say for 10 years
c) Career in a Non Government ( Social Responsibility) say for 5 years
d) Career in Startups/Private Sector/Mentoring youth for remaining 18 years or so
5. Education: Consisting of and equally targeted at
a) Foundational reading/writing/arithmetic/science and computer programming for 10 years followed by practical skills to meet the requirements of jobs and livelihoods in 4 above
b) Arts and inventions and innovations with subjects like design thinking
c) Sports and physical development
d) Entrepreneurship and Self employment.
6. Environment: Our life is constituted of living and non-living beings. Protection and sustenance of life-giving environment should be equal in importance to the very human life. Every economic decision should be taken with the environment in mind.
7. Fairness: Every citizen should not only be provided with equal opportunities to pursue their economic and social interests but in no case should discriminatory laws or government powers be allowed to undermine them. Market regulators should ensure fairness and equity by creating and maintaining a level playing field
8. Responsibility and Information: Government should help achieve the objectives of the society, arrived at and sustained through a consultative and participative process rather than through a political manifesto and the instrument of electoral ballot box every five years. The right to recall elected officials and the Right to Information — should be put into law and enforced. A citizen council should be setup and allowed to vote on matter of national importance.
9. Spiritual and Higher Order Needs: At a certain stage human beings are drawn towards non-material needs. Not only do they become more contemplative, tolerant and reflective — they yearn to give back to the society. A mechanism should be developed to harness their wisdom and other contributions; possibly by providing them opportunities to have a say on important national issues.
10. Politics: Government is an instrument of politics and ‘benefitting society’ should remain it singular aim. Ordinary citizens should be actively brought in the political discourse. The terms of elected officials and their careers should be in line with those of ordinary citizens expressed in Paragraph 4
Last, but not the least, economic policies should not promote “growth” for the sake of ‘growth’ but be thoughtfully designed to maximise people’s happiness and bliss.
If this could be achieved within contracting economies; so be it.
