Education of Party Cadres in Democracy
A. B. SHAHA
Principal, S.I.E.S. College, Bombay
I. The Attack on Democracy
THE present century is characterized by a global struggle between democracy and totalitarianism. In a sense, the struggle is not new; it is as old as civilization itself. For with his emergence from the tribal stage man also became conscious of his individuality, of the fact that he was more than a mere member of the group, that his aspirations and plans went beyond what was provided for in the social framework. The birth of this consciousness added a new, characteristically human dimension to the struggle for survival and gradually transformed it into a quest for freedom. All subsequent history can be looked upon as the story of this quest.
However, two factors distinguish the contemporary period and endow it with unique significance for the ultimate outcome of this quest. In the past the clash between the forces of freedom and those of slavery was always of local interest. Even if freedom was subverted in some region at some time, its effects were generally confined to that region and did not have an all-pervading and enduring scope. In the twentieth century that is no longer true. The unification of the world brought about by modern means of transport and communication has shown, for example, that the Himalayas are no more an impassable barrier to the successors of Kubla Khan than the Maginot line was to those of Bismarck. No country can, therefore, afford to remain indifferent to happenings beyond its frontiers, nor can it afford to misjudge their import for its own future. We welcomed the triumph of communism in China and, except in words, remained indifferent to the liquidation of Tibet. We have not yet been able to extricate ourselves from the consequences of these mistakes.
Secondly just as modern technology opens out unlimited vistas of freedom and prosperity, it also places immense power at the disposal of the enemies of freedom. It gives them the power not only to wreak physical destruction but also to mutilate the minds of men. The techniques of mind-control have now reached such a stage of development that the modern dictator can make most of his slaves believe that they are more free than those who do not have the good fortune of living under his rule. This is accomplished by re-writing history according to the requirements of the state, suppressing truth, steady indoctrination through complete control over education and the press and other media of communication, and extermination of those who refuse to be lumps of clay in the hands of the rulers. The net result is that once a country goes under a totalitarian regime, there is no chance left of its people being ever able to regain their liberties by their own efforts. And since unchecked power, whether of Hitler or of Stalin and Mao-tse-tung, has limitless appetite, it seeks to extend its sway over the whole known world. Totalitarian governments are therefore inherently destructive of the freedom not only of their own people but also of others.
