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Articles: Devotion | Birth of Democracy Part IV
- Prof. Narasimham Brahmandam
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Democracy Part IV
“Men are very fond of fanciful articles, especially if they are from other countries. Here is an opportunity to get money from people of other countries too.” Said Kalanemi. “Shall we get them in large numbers and sell them here or ask our traders to do it?” asked Pot Belly who knew a little of buying and selling. “That is a petty trader’s business. It gives you only a living. It gives you no big money.” smiled Kalanemi “You should impose heavy taxes on them and make them many times costlier than in the country where they are made” “But then, only the rich can afford to buy them, and you will reduce the volume of business” protested Pot Belly.
“Yes” admitted Kalanemi, “but then the articles become symbols of status. Men, as you know, want to be known to be richer than they really are. That is called vanity. So even people with modest means strain themselves to buy them. This craving is called demand. Some dare devils will get these articles secretly without paying the taxes. They can sell them to people and make god profits too. Such dare devils should not be called ‘traders’ but should be called ‘smugglers’. They are actually snatching the prey of the Government which has the sole right to exploit the peoples’ passion for foreign goods” He lowered his voice a bit and said, “If you are intelligent, you can get a share of their earnings by secretly conniving with them” He raised his voice again, “But be sure to cry from house tops as loud as possible that they are enemies of the people.
In course of time, some enterprising men come forward to make similar articles here itself. Will you permit them?” Of course” said a few voices. “You should not. Do not permit them, unless, of course, they are demons. The fellow who makes it here is sure to make lots of money. But, the inborn jealousy of men cannot bear another man making so much money. So you proclaim that the people’s government itself will make the articles here. It is certain that your proclamation will be hailed with acclaim.”
“You do not gain anything by permitting your men to start enterprises, Instead, ask the makers in the foreign countries to set up the work houses here or sell the secret knowledge to us. If there are more countries than one who can make them, they will all come and have ‘talks’ with you. Naturally, you will choose the one who offers most attractive amount to you. The advantages are many. People will be happy that the profits do not go to any fellow man of this country. The price of the article when made by the government will be at least as costly as the taxed foreign one. Therefore, smuggling will thrive as before and continue to be the secret source of income to you.” “ But the government may make no profit making the article” objected Elephant Ears. “Of course, it loses. But you must have a clear understanding. Your money is different from that of the government. It is the people’s government, not yours. You have been engaged to run it, because they cannot. It will be your demonic obligation to use the position to make life miserable for men”
“You are still talking of governing,” complained Angry Eyes, “We understand that governance means making money. But what use is money that gives us only soft pleasures like wine and women? We want men to suffer, be miserable writhe in helpless agony. That is our sport!”
“I agree money alone cannot give your sport” conceded Kalanemi, “But in the process of making money, you make men suffer misery. When you take money from the contractors, you enjoy men being crushed under roofs and collapsing bridges. You tap any trade with your golden wand; there is misery for men. Touch the medicine makers; they will sell water or even poison as medicine. Tap the grocers; they will mix poisonous dahls with edible ones. Touch the wine makers; they will sell even poisonous liquor. Taxmen, police and even innocent looking clerks of your tribe can harass men.
“There is no end to the misery you can inflict on men with your grip on the people’s government. In fact, if there was a king, he was the only exploiter. But in the kingless government, people elect one authorized exploiter for every few thousand of them. Almost every one of you, demons, can bloom into an exploiter and tormentor. Once elected, the representative’s only avocation is to organize exploitation so that he would make up the money he has invested in his election and put by an equal amount, if not more, for the next.”
“I have given you sufficient insight into this business of governance in a people’s government. If you cannot think of ways of using this weapon for torture, I should be ashamed of you” said Kalanemi. “When you are elected, you acquire power. Power is of use either to help or harm. As demons, it is your privilege to use it for harm, i.e., himsa”
“Himsa” Kalanemi wet on to elaborate, “ can be crude like clubbing a man to death. It can also be so refined that the victim does not even know who is the cause of his misery. Even if he knew, he could do nothing about it. To give pain along with impotency to fight it, is the very acme of the art of himsa. I would like you to get acquainted with the art, to plan out various schemes for the himsa of our favourite victim, the man.”
The demons looked at each other. The entire business was so new that they were wondering where to begin. After many minutes of silence, Gorged Eyes hesitantly moved to the stone, bowed reverently and said, “Oh wise Kalanemi, pardon our poor intellect. We have heard from you so much that we shall need weeks to understand and plan out. We shall divide the Government into a number of departments and entrust one to each demon of some ability. Now we shall go out into the midst of men and get to work. We shall leave no aspect of their lives, morals or aspirations without forcing them to adopt the demon law or suffer misery. We shall report back to you our achievements. Give us your blessings.” Kalanemi blessed them, “As long as you do not tread on each other’s toes, you have to fear none. I wish you all fun.”
Centuries have rolled by. Is it time for the humans to organize a conference like this? Concluded.
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