It’s ok if the majority remains ignorant

Such ignorance can actually help in forming a consensus among the ruling elite for a smoother functioning of society.

Dear countrymen and countrywomen, it’s fine if you remain ignorant about the actions of your government as long as the they do not restrict you from achieving your personal goals. Such ignorance can actually help in forming a consensus, or preserving it, among the ruling elite and for a smoother functioning of society, especially a democratic one. Political theorist Robert Dahl termed political inactivity as a precondition for polyarchy, i e, the ruling elite, to govern. If the majority is informed and actively participates in politics, there is a grave possibility that society and its structure will break down. In Pakistan, for instance, military coups were acceptable because of the mass participation by those people who were sick of the civilian governments due to their action or inaction.

The underlining principle of why people are ignorant, or opt for apathy, is that society is somewhat just and the people’s socioeconomic conditions allow it to overlook societal ills beyond their neighbourhood, city or country. It certainly does not compel them to participate in or be informed on worldly affairs. Dahl claimed, citing empirical evidence pertaining to the United States, the lower the socioeconomic background, the more a person tends to become authoritarian. This is probably so because one seeks immediate relief and change. However, society must remain just and opportunities must exist for one to improve their economic wellbeing for them to remain politically apathetic.

Western society is free and has access to information but the ordinary citizen chooses not to pursue it. Over time, social scientists have observed that political inactivity serves a representative democracy best. Participation beyond a certain level undermines the stability and functioning of the polyarchy. As for the accountability of the government, people must possess an inclination towards democracy and strongly oppose dictatorial impulses. That is to say, the majority must be united in choosing to be governed democratically. For ordinary citizens, politics and political activity occupies a peripheral status, Dahl says, and this only becomes salient if government action or inaction impinges upon their private goals.

Politics has always been the domain of the few, particularly the rich. It is for those who can afford to engage in it, and not for the inept and inarticulate or those who struggle to make ends meet.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 4^th, 2013.