Pritam
K. Rohila, Ph.D.
Evolution is a slow and gradual process
by which organizations as well as organisms adapt to external changes or
internal pressure. It may be imperceptible in the short-term and its glacial pace frustrating for some.
Revolutions, on the other hand, are
attempts to bring about a sudden, dramatic, radical and fundamental change in the society, and/or its system of
government. Revolutions usually start with slogans and declarations invoking
high ideals such as freedom, equality,
and justice. They involve strikes, demonstrations, and often also violence and
bloodshed. But they rarely ever succeed in bring about all their
intended transformational changes in the society. Eventually they end up making
compromises with the existing system, and become at least as authoritarian and
sometimes as unjust, as the regimes they replace.
Examples are the American and the French
Revolution in the 18th century, and the Bolshevik and the Iranian Revolution in
the early 20th century. In South Asia, the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971,
the People's War in Nepal 1996-2006, and Sri Lanka Civil War 1983-2002, fit the
definition of revolution.
The challenge for all those, who wish
for a significant change in their society, is to find a way to orchestrate the
innovation without the upheaval and violence that accompanies a classic
revolution. The recent Information Technology Revolution is an example. It has
radically altered the society and the way the governments are run, but without
the violence, chaos, and destruction that a classic revolution entails.
With its emphasis on self-governance,
community building, and decentralization, and its bottom-to-top approach, the recently
launched Aam Admi (Common Man) Party appears ready to bring about significant
change in the Indian society. Its
electoral success in Delhi has surprised many. However, it remains to be seen
how long it can maintain its spirit and commitment, and how widely it is able
to spread its influence, especially in the context of the corruption-ridden
Indian society and its highly polarized politics.
__
Dr.
Pritam K. Rohila is the Executive Director of the Association for Communal
Harmony in Asia (www.asiapeace.org). He can
be reached at asiapeace@comcast.net
No comments:
Post a Comment