The theoretical training of a political worker would aim to give him his bearings in the modern world especially the socio-political and ideological context in which he has to function. It would also aim at training him in the habit of critical thinking. Such equipment would enable him to understand the implications of the values he stands for and the problems he is called upon to take up on behalf of the people. It would also help him to contribute to the deliberations of his party—and keep the latter in form, for if people do not have ideological or intellectual issues to fight for, they generally fight on the personal plane.
The practical aspect of his education would consist in work in co-operative societies, village panchayats or municipalities, social service organizations, and such other bodies on non-party lines. One who has contributed to the building up of such institutions, or worked in them in a constructive spirit for solving genuine problems, knows what an exhilarating experience it can be. It makes democracy meaningful to him and fires him with a new vision of politics that no amount of exhortation alone can ever do.
A system of education which would meet the two-fold purpose briefly stated above can take the form of summer schools and short-period study camps ; directed reading ; regular discussions on fundamental as well as topical questions ; mailing service for keeping party workers in touch with current developments in political thought and practice both in the country and in the outer world ; translation and abridgements of important books like Twentieth Century Socialism or Contemporary Capitalism ; planned studies of specific problems such as the impact of labour or tenancy legislation, or the possibilities of developing new forms of agriculture or industries in one’s district and a host of other things. It is true that no political party today has the necessary personnel to undertake such work on the requisite scale, nor many have the resources for it. However, if the importance of this work for the success of democracy in India is realized by those who lead the parties, it should not be difficult to elicit the willing co-operation of intellectuals, who are at present outside all political parties.
