By Promod Puri
Evolution of any political ideology, and that should be imperative,
involves almost all the natural and social sciences, philosophies,
metaphysics, as well as the wisdom manifested in spiritual orders.
It is in this integrated approach that the political spectrum of
Marxism and Leninism, conservatism, and liberalism; capitalism and
socialism, or any of their simulated entities can be more acceptable to
the contemporary society than their present consent.
Till now all these political stripes are meaningless notably for that
section of the humanity which is still toiling in poverty, hunger, and
disease; discriminated, exploited, and victimized in the politically
patronized class and caste-ridden order.
The promises of these political isms, which have more of academic
showcasing than their pragmatism, have not produced a peaceful and
hunger-free world, while the environments are seriously damaged as well.
Autocrats, dictators, and tyrants; narcissists, illiterates, and
idiots have elected and re-elected themselves under the democratic,
socialist, and communist regimes. The vulnerability of the political
systems has been exposed. The reason being there is no mix or an
insignificant mix of scientific rationales, philosophical foresight, and
spiritual sanity in their foundations.
Evolution in political ideologies is a hypothesis where the political
science can expand its studies to determine as well as encourage the
involvement of basic and laboratory-based sciences, philosophical,
critical, and intellectual disciplines, and religious fundamentals in
the political systems.
Inspired by the fact that sciences and institutional faculties offer
systematic and observable physical evidence and logical argumentation,
the premise can build more feasible and pertinent political pathways
leading to better management of the civil society.
Political science besides being in its observatory and analyzing
tasks of dealing with governing systems, political thoughts, and
studying political activities, must seek a plurality of social and
scientific disciplines which offer creditable connect with human
behavior and environmental concerns.
Moreover, political science can be an active participant in the
development and implementation of political ideology. It can review
whether a political gospel needs some updating or renounced altogether.
The laws of physics, the formulas, and equations in chemistry and
mathematics, or the biological and physiological phenomenon may or may
not directly generate political thought, but their mechanisms guide its
plausible acceptance.
However, human psychology is one science which has a direct impact in
inducing political thinking, its acceptance or rejection, and its
implementation. Without going into detailed explanations, it is the
study of emotional and behavioral sentiments of individuals, and of the
community of people related to natural, or human-made situations.
Psychology gives an assessed value of a political ideology.
The psychology of human nature or behavior impacts the practicality
of any political order and its idealism of achieving economic
development, social and religious equality of people.
Besides psychology, political science can also review the disdained
relationship between politics and religion as the two do not sit well in
the progressive political impression.
The fact is that the laws of the land with their universal
application have been constituted from religious teachings to institute
political ideologies.
Modern political pundits and their students or observers have not
gone beyond religious customs and beliefs. They have seldom explored the
intelligence and enlightenment generated over the centuries in
discernable interpretations which touch every aspect of human endeavors
including politics.
Philosopher T. S. Eliot “believed that democratic societies rejected
the influence of an established church at their peril, for in doing so
they cut themselves off from the kind of ethical wisdom that can come
only from participation in a tradition. Thus, he argued, such a society
would degenerate into tyranny and social and cultural fragmentation”.
(
source: Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Chapter: Religion and Politics).
As we are seeking a coordinated proposition to creating better
workable political models in the changing times, the reality is that
fitness and pragmatism of existing political doctrines are not of much
help or have failed badly in their utopian vision.
The viability and development of a political ideology must go through
intelligent observation in line with human psychology, nourished and
assessed by social and natural sciences, and enriched by the
philosophies and universal truths revealed in most world religions.
A related article by Promod Puri: Religion Has Guiding Role In Politics.
(Promod Puri is a Canada-based writer, journalist, and author of “Hinduism Beyond Rituals, Customs, And Traditions”).
Websites
: promodpuri.com,
progressivehindudialogue.com, and
Simple Thinking – Simple Living.
