Forging a new compact.

GERMAN philosopher Friedrich Hegel has characterised history as 'a march of reason'; Karl Marx called it a 'dialectical process', propelled by inherent social contradictions; and Joseph Schumpeter saw it as 'creative destruction' that replaces obsolescence with innovation. These perspectives have left a considerable impact on much of the world, in particular Western society, politics and economy. Unfortunately, our state and political grandees have shown little regard for an objective analysis of history, remaining willfully unmindful of its ominous currents. No wonder, even as the state has turned politically toxic, economically crippled and institutionally deranged, they have shown reluctance to listen to the voice of reason calling for a wide-ranging discourse to forge a new, workable compact to cure the systemic malaise that gives rise to recurring sociopolitical crises.

Resultantly, the authorities, law, institutions and even morality are losing ground to the forces of anarchy. No more are vision, character or performance the criteria of leadership; instead, tribe-like phalanxes of followers and the impact of toxic narratives have become the measure of popularity. Hence, rejecting election results, defying judicial orders, challenging the government's writ, and indulging in all kinds of obscenities in the guise of political rhetoric are the new 'normal'. The age-old tools of democratic politics - discourse, civility and compromise - are becoming redundant as rival politicians fight each other like sworn enemies. If not stopped, the ongoing antagonism may lead to a situation where conflict-resolving institutions, particularly the judiciary, will also become ineffectual, leaving the embattled polity and already comatose economy without political or institutional recourse.

All this raises questions about the future of democracy. Unsurprisingly, the doomsayers are already out predicting a 'soft takeover'. But this time, the plan is reportedly laced with a hard objective - an 'all-round, relentless cleansing of the system'. The oracles are, however, silent on the modus operandi and the expected results of such cleansing in a body politic that has already been violently tribalised, with followers (in both camps) blindly bonding with their cultist chiefs, ever ready to take on their rivals. Moreover, the visible rise in 'anti-establishment' sentiments could also come in the way of garnering public support for establishment-sponsored...