Populism

In recent days Britain saw its one of the historic elections till date. Conservatives won the election with historic margin, a mandate which was not seen in last 90 years or so. Though Brexit was a very strong factor of this event but there is one more factor in background and that is Populism. Recent years saw the rise of populism like never before. Around the globe, populist leaders are winning elections, ruling countries, making policies and driving the world in 21st century. Global politics is shifting in a rate like never before. Populism has taken over much of the left dominated politics across the globe. A numbers of leaders had been elected across the globe. Populist leaders like Trump, Putin, Shinzo Abe, Narendra Modi, Erdogan, Netanyahu, Borris Johnson, Arbour, Scott Morrison have won election with clear majority in their respective countries. These political shift is a result of many factors. Their are many theories in the clouds of intelligentsia. A group of intellectuals claim that the failed administration and indifferent view of left led governments is the major reason behind this rise. Which is true to a extent. If we take example of South America in particular, after the influence of "Left Tide" almost all the countries of Latin america were governed by left led politics and then the decline and economic unrest spread around the globe in late 1990s. People were demanding free trade, open markets and liberal economy in order to sustain in the rapidly changing global economy. Economic Liberalization was not very adjustable concept in left ideology in general. Governments ignored the demands and thus a gab, a political gap was created. Slowly populism came in picture. New promising policies, liberal approach to economy, a sustainable idea gave the required boost and the world saw the downfall of Left led government. Populism is indeed very promising approach and gives results too. The rise of populism in Europe is a prominent example of this argument. But there are some drawback of this concept too. Economically it is surely giving better result than left policies but in social context it is giving some dangerous signs for societies. "America First" this was Trump's slogan for the last American presidential election which led him to President's chair. Which is a good thing but on the other hand Hispanic crimes rose up to 40 percent against Spanish speaking Americans. In France crime against migrants rose in recent years and the problem of migration is off course not an issue of populism but the way this problem is addressed and the way society respond to it, is a dangerous sign. Leaders are getting elected using majoritarian standards which is leading to populism and the anarchy is establishing among societies. So being a 90s kid we all are witnessing this Political shift and all we can do is, keeping a balance between political populist ideology and societal structure of respective countries.

Dissent

This word "Dissent" is repeatedly used in news papers now a days. The last 3 months were filled with it. Started off with JNU's fee hike protest followed by DUTA(Delhi University teacher's Association) protest against university administration and then came the most firm and rigid dissent of recent days. Here two words are used. One is "Protest" and other is "Dissent". Are they similar? Not exactly similar but interrelated. Dissent can be considered as primary step towards protest. Dissent in contemporary days is common, people talk, argue, debate, agree, disagree on a certain point which is good. Is it happening now a days? One thing which as far as I am observing is dissent is not in it's healthy condition now a days. Dissenters are being treated as if they are aliens. Being a democracy and largest adulthood suffrogae so far dissent is a basic fabric of our system. We have a legacy and we all have witnessed that. Be it Jan Nirman Andolan, be it India against corruption or be it any dissent followed by a protest or agitation. Dissent is a basic fabric of a democracy and we should not corrupt it. We should not be intolerant to dissents and protests. Dissent if we see beyond political arena, is one of the root cause of development. We developed because we dissented. We questioned the established facts, fabrics. We disagreed. And that's how we got here. Suppose what would have happened if we hadn't asked a single question. Darwin, Newton, Einstein, Galileo, Tesla all these men of the history are the torch bearers of Dissent in scientific world. Dissent is beautiful in it's own way if it is in right direction. So while I am witnessing a dissent so far.. all I can say is, Dissent is important. Dissent is necessary.