Top 10 things to watch out on path to merit

A governance structure must guard against some pitfalls if it hopes to successfully implement its goals. Human nature is complex, and both simplistic and overly complex solutions can be exploited and subverted. However, with some safeguards it is possible to achieve and sustain progress. Any architect of meritocracy should keep the following in mind to ensure that meritocracy is sustainable:

1. Transparency is paramount for merit to flourish

For most public related issues, the information should be made available online and the processes need to be made transparent. Without transparency conspiracy theories take hold more easily, and people can come to believe that the meritocracy is not genuine. This can be onerous  and difficult without use of technology.

2. Equality of opportunity will sustain meritocracy

The system should be perceived as fair by people. Without equality of opportunity, meritocracy will degenerate into aristocracy, which will defeat the whole purpose of having a meritocracy.  

3. Too much inequality will destroy the social fabric

Inequality is inevitable. However, if 90% of the population is starving and underfed, then there is something seriously wrong with the governance structure. Meritocracy and a strong nation need wider participation of the population in the economy, which can be jeopardised by poverty. They can also become easy targets for communists and theological preachers, both of which can be a serious danger to the integrity of a country.

4. Too much power in too few hands will destroy the country 

Parallel institutions, sometimes even duplicate institutions can be critical to prevent abuse of power. Checks and balances, backed by a strong constitution can do wonders for a nation (even if it can be a bit chaotic).

5.  Right to accuse needs to be protected, but right to slander needs to be checked

It is important for citizens to be able to accuse and argue to forward their point of view. This would strengthen meritocracy and help weed out unwanted elements. However, slander and malicious propaganda can be used to damage reputation, cause needless fear and disgust in population, and weaken the social fabric. The law has to find a balance between encouraging criticism and preventing calumny. 

6. Rights should not come without responsibilities

In a meritocratic state, all rights (including human rights and voting rights) would need to come with a responsibility.

7. Avoid direct confrontation with religion, but side-line and weaken it

People should be free to follow their religious belief, but nation needs to take the front-seat. This would mean peaceful co-existence, complete stop on missionary activities, and a uniform civil code applicable to all. 

8. Nationalism with spirituality will hold meritocracy together

Every ideology needs a glue to hold it together. For meritocracy, nationalism can be an excellent binder. However, to prevent wars and rise of any kind of supremacists, it would need to incorporate certain degree of spirituality as well. I am open to idea, but in experience meditation and breathing techniques are a good, neutral starting point.

9. Do not expect status quo to roll-over and die

If only it was that simple. Do not underestimate the tenacity of vested interests and the dangers of a revolution. Without political power and a police/army firmly under civilian control, the changes will not be permanent. Managing media and a comprehensive communication strategy will be as critical as doing actual work.

10. Results Results Results

Theory and intention is all well, but if there are no concrete, actual results, the whole thing is meaningless and is probably being done wrong.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but my top 10 nuggets of wisdom to the one who wants to walk the path. May the force be with you ;)

Starting on the Quest for Meritocracy

The implementation of a meritocratic state can begin with a leader supported by a group of individuals with the determination and the ability to implement a meritocratic state. The whole group would need an above average IQ, reasonable success in private life, nationalism, strong control on emotions, spirituality, ability to deal with own ego, and a reasonably good understanding of human nature. A little power hunger will not harm. It would help having experts (e.g. economics, technology, political science, marketing), leaders with practical work experience in their fields. 

While it is always ideal to have things from the "scratch", I am not an advocate of revolution as it is messy. Reform from within will be better for the society as a whole, but may be more difficult to implement due to entrenched vested interests of existing power centres. Nevertheless it is doable if done slowly but surely (boil the frog). Also, since human life is short, it is advisable to focus on the issues that are likely to have maximum impact and leave something for the next generation.

The ultimate aim would be political/legal/constitutional changes that institutionalise meritocracy. This is the only way to make meritocracy permanent. Economy and education are the primary tools to both work towards it and strengthen it.  However, before that can happen, to first gain traction the team needs to first work at the grass root level. 

This can begin with identify and solving key local problems, and then marketing the success. Consider the following two steps to identify problems to solve:

1. Zero down on a few key issues likely to lead to positive press for meritocracy (4 at most)
Meritocracy is not an established system. To start with, it needs to be in the press and recognised for its excellent results. In the beginning, it is advisable to focus on issues that are easy to market, popular, and doable. This is about picking battles big enough to matter and small enough to win, and important for at least 25% of the population. Surveys and reports, backed by information gained by working amidst people, should help in this. 

2. Analyse the identified issues and zero down on one to target
Consider team resources and expertise, ask for public opinion to identify pain points and possible improvements, analyse short-comings of current system, and prepare a plan of action.

In the beginning, it is advisable to not upset any existing power centres as far as possible. Ultimately they are going to get upset, but the later we upset them the lesser obstacles we would face in implementing our plans. 

In initial years, the aim should be to cultivate image of efficiency, integrity, and no-nonsense to demonstrate the capability of meritocracy. For this the team will have to both do the work and communicate it effectively to people. Get youth involved, use street plays, harness social media, conduct seminars/ talks, organise public/visible debates, create sponsorships for the best and the brightest. In short, get the word out there and back it up with actual, tangible results.

The ultimate aim is to enter the political sphere and change the way things are run. Therefore the core team would need to develop grass root level of cadres and work intensively amidst people: travelling, listening to their problems and aspirations, where possible helping them with their issues, vociferously highlighting identified public problems, and learning about the society. To begin with, for minimum resistance, the team should target an area that is:

• reasonably prosperous and eager to boost its economic dominance; or 
• sufficiently economically desperate and eager to turn-around its fortune. 

The areas with following characteristics could be very challenging and are best tackled at later stages:

• strong religious or caste based influence
• severely affected by militant/terrorist activity
• strong influence of Communism

The group should also create a fund-raising plan and involve industrialists in their plans to ensure adequate financing.

These key steps should help the team to lay down the foundation for a meritocracy. 

Why We Need Meritocracy

It is useless to expect an oak tree to bear apples. Similarly, it is useless to expect governance systems designed to exploit and steal to deliver justice. Even though the world has evolved significantly, it is hard to find genuinely good leaders and 90% of the population is still languishing in poverty. I therefore think that the current governance systems have overall failed miserably to alleviate misery. The key reasons  are affliction with narrow interests, short-termism, mob mentality, and the concept of rights without responsibilities. The systems are well designed to pacify power groups and keep a few in charge of many. They are designed to enslave and not liberate, even if they claim otherwise.

Therefore it is very important for the thinkers and the doers to come together and work towards building a society that is governed by three basic principles:

• always try to get one of the best people to do the job
• rights come with responsibilities
• it is not enough to theoretically endorse the above two principles: they have to be purposefully built into the very fabric of the nation

This, in essence, is meritocracy. And this, in essence, can be a extremely difficult to implement in practice. Even profit oriented corporations often find it difficult to stick to this simple mantra. For a nation it can be devilishly difficult.Nevertheless, it stands to reason that even partial implementation of these ideas should change the fortunes of a country for the better.

In future essays I will try to explore how I think a leader can implement it.

The Time for Merit

From the time human society has started organising itself, it's surroundings, intelligence, and knowledge level have had a profound effect on its governance structures. Through the ages we have seen various versions of rule of a man/ family (despotism, monarchy, aristocracy), rule of God (theocracy), rule of men (democracy, republic, socialism, communism, nationalism), rule of money (capitalism), and even no rule (anarchy). 

The first radical change  came via the advent of the printing press and the corresponding realtively wider availability of knowledge. This steadily eroded ideologies that rely on people's ignorance, and strengthened those that either empower or manipulate them. This ultimately led to the decline of theocracies and monarchies, and the rise of democracies, socialism, propoganda fuelled dictatorships, and capitalism. When combined with older forms of governance, this has produced a wide range of governance structures around the globe.

The knowledge that came with the printed word did not get rid the human race of thirst for power, control, and pseudo-superiority. In fact, it made the quest more sophisticated and destructive. As rulers adjusted to the shock of more informed and combatative subjects, they tweaked their tools of propaganda, terror and division. The same knowledge that developed  life saving drugs also came up with nuclear weapons. Promises of communist utopia often turned out to be despotic hells.

Nevertheless, democracy has slowly become the most common form of governance, and ideas of capitalism and socialism have both become deeply embedded in the system. However, the rise of the Internet, satellites and the ability of the rulers to track their "subjects" closely is changing things in a way that may see revival of totalitarian regimes, with even the current "free" democracies slowly eroding away the freedom of their citizens using propaganda, fear, monetary control, and intimidation.

Having said that, I think that these same technical advancements present an opportunity to build a strong, transparent, and meritocratic country. The happiness and prosperity of nations will be determined by their ability to command an effective economy, to generate superior scientific knowledge, and being militarily strong. This in turn would depend on having better people in top positions, which perhaps can be done more effectively in an inherent meritocratic system. I find the thought pretty appealing, and will write about it as and when I get time in form of similar articles. I hope somebody, somewhere, someday finds it useful and interesting.

एक प्रेम कहानी

दूध की बोतलों और राशन की कतारों में खोयी सी एक प्रेम कहानी
कुछ सिक्कों की खोज में गुम एक और प्रेम कहानी
थकी रातों की मसरूफ सुबहों का इंतज़ार करती प्रेम कहानी
सुनहरे कल को खोजती, परदेस में भटकती प्रेम कहानी
गुमसुम, उदास : पर जाने क्यों ना रोती प्रेम कहानी
फिर भी उम्मीद है कि ढूंढ लेगी अपनी मंज़िल अपनी प्रेम कहानी
क्योंकि है साथ जब तक मुर्शिद, रंगीन है यह अपनी प्रेम कहानी

Being Happy

Happiness, I now truly know, is an attitude. This attitude is born in a free mind, and allows one to live more effectively. Freedom, in turn, is a direct function of one’s ability to think, their commitment to spirituality (which is not the same as religion), and the intensity of desire to be self-aware.

What do I mean by the ability to think? Beyond clichés there is thought: the genuine, actual ability of human mind to create an idea and express a first-hand opinion. This is, however, hard work for both hard pressed and ignorant alike. One group is caught in the perpetual struggle to survive and make it through each day, wondering if there is an end to this winding road. The other is simply unaware, sleep walking through life. And both are, in ways, enslaved by their fears and prejudices. Bounded by what they know and what they don’t know, stuck in the middle of nowhere.

What does thinking do? It simply opens doors and aids the process of self-awareness. It is one of the key initial tools towards the path of self-realisation. Humans rule this planet due to their ability to think, and they can become self-aware because they can think. Thinking is, however, a two edged sword that needs the guiding hand of spirituality. Spirituality leads thought to freedom and not self-destruction.

But what is spirituality? For me, being a good human being is the essence of spirituality. Practices that reduce stress without harming your health, hence allowing you to be a better and more effective human, are spiritual practices. Vedic breathing techniques (pranayama, Sudarshan Kriya) and yoga are potent spiritual practices that I have experienced first-hand. There may be other techniques, but I am not aware about them.

Finally, one needs self-awareness to be truly happy. Without self-awareness even spirituality can give a false sense of accomplishment, ego, superiority complex, and illusion of control.

What is self-awareness? For me, self-awareness consists of understanding one’s conscious self, learning from mistakes, learning the art of handling the mind, and taking conscious decisions. Art of Living teaches various techniques to aid this process, though I am sure there will be other schools teaching similar things. To start on the path of self-awareness, however, one needs some initial amount of thinking and the realisation that self-awareness is of paramount importance.

At some point of my life I believed that we also need sufficient money and good relationships to be truly free. From my experience, I have learned that pursuit of money can as easily bring in more unhappiness to the one who does not make an effort to become self-aware. It is the same story with relationships. As Sri Sri says, to meet your soul mate you first need to first meet your soul. All in all, without the self-awareness that emanates from spirituality and first-hand thinking, everything in this world will ultimately lead to sorrow. 

सो जा

ओ मेरे प्यारे, आँखों के तारे, राजदुलारे,  सो जा …

अंखियों में तेरी निंदिया है इतनी
परियां तुझे पुकारे
चंदा को लेके, तारे समेटे, बाहों में मेरी सो जा।

ओ मेरे प्यारे, आँखों के तारे, राजदुलारे,  सो जा …

Bad Management is Easy!

Recently I came across a manager who gave her entire team a negative feedback. Strangely, the feedbacks for the same people for jobs done for other managers before and after this particular job were fairly positive. This got me thinking: did the people drop dead for two weeks or was there something else going on. I was surprised that this did not get any alarm bells ringing anywhere else. Even worse, the blame and negative consequences got apportioned to the team rather than the manager. I think this is a very good example of bad management compounded by poor organisation response.

I think a good manager lies at the heart of a vibrant organisation and needs three crucial skills to succeed: project management, communication, and team building.

Project management can be learned by studying and adapting project management techniques and frameworks like Scrum/Agile, PRINCE2, etc. Alternatively, it can simply mean being organised and keeping on top of the project and actively managing its risks. 

Good and effective communication is an integral part of project management. I write it as a separate skill as I have now seen too many poorly worded emails and negative communication as one used by the manager above. For example, in the above case the manager did not effectively communicate with her team during the project, holding on to a grudge and giving a negative feedback two months after the job to a surprised team. Not to let the team off the hook, it can be argued that they could have tried to communicate with the Manager as well. However, if the Manager is deemed more senior, paid more, and given more responsibility, I think it is fair to say that bad team communication is primarily a managerial failing.

Team building is a skill that I would look out in manager who I expect to take on a leadership role in the company at any time in the future. If you are operating in a super-competitive knowledge based industry, success will be defined by being able to hire and retain top-quality talent. And, managers can be pivotal to this: most of the times when people leave a company, more often than not they leave their managers.

In the above case, I would definitely try to dig a bit before readily blaming the team (especially if they seem to be doing a good job otherwise). I would pull them up for taking an initiative on communication if the manager was doing a poor job of it. However, my main target would be the manager from whom I would expect more than trying to escape blame for a badly run project by blaming the team.  

All the skills above are not rocket science and can be taught. Really, these are the basics, and better organisations stick to them.

The Absolute

Days will pass, nights will go
Years will pass, years shall show
Love will fade, friends will vanish
Doubt will creep, trust shall tarnish
Eternity and I are friends, I know
Beyond this prison there is nowhere to go
Generalizations are easy and too cheap
Petty wisdom that I don't keep
Convenience and profit is what world knows
The one with courage and strength grows
On the branch of relativity I perch
As for the absolute I vainly search.

AAP and Communism

Communism is a destructive, all-consuming ideology that invariably degenerates into autocracy or dictatorship. Despite its damaging and chaotic effect, it has not only managed to survive to date but there are people who are ready to live and die by it. For example, India risks losing more than 30% of its land to the red forces today. Without an effective command and conquer structure, and a unifying military ideology this would be impossible to achieve. To extend it a bit further, I would argue that what is true for communism is true for any other kind of cult, extremism, or dogma (like theocracy and fascism).

These cancerous ideas need the right kind of environment to flourish. Unfortunately, that is not hard to find or create. At minimum, you need is a perception of injustice and inequality. This can be made worse by corruption, poverty, lack of education, absence of an effective law and order machinery, and high handedness of the officials & the well connected. When people feel that everything is hopeless and there is nothing to lose, a demagogue can easily lead them down the path of a revolution that ultimately benefits nobody except the leader. The fact that such leaders are able to manipulate a large number of people is an indictment on the governance system that lets it happen in the first place.

In our recent history this pattern can be clearly seen in at least two instances.

First, in India a charismatic left leaning leader came to power in the 70s by promising to remove poverty within no time, and then went on to destroy and degrade the standard of politics & business, nearly turning India into a Communist dictatorship. Second, the mass poverty in Nepal enabled Prachanda to come to power, but it has not really made things better for the common people.

Presently, I strongly feel that this pattern is being duplicated by Arvind Kejriwal (AK) to engineer the rise of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), based on the promise to eliminate corruption. His tactics (freebies, simplistic solutions, revolutionary mind set, conspiracy theories, romanticization of poverty, and misinformation) would make Hugo Chavez proud. For all we know, Lokpal may be an attempt to introduce dictatorship from the backdoor. Who knows? What is remarkable about AK’s rise is that he has been able to rise despite of having no money power, no dynastic background, and no military background. His meteoric rise indicates a well-thought strategy, overwhelming frustration of Indian public with corruption, luck, and sheer determination/ will power/ charisma of AK. Whether he is successful or not, this is for sure that he is going to be an influential force in Indian politics for time to come unless he makes a major strategic blunder.

AAP and AK are a product of the broken Indian governance system that has let it people down with a dysfunctional justice system and rampant rights without responsibility/ accountability. The weaknesses of the system are now being used against it. It is a wake-up call for the law makers to wake up and make changes, or risk losing it all. Whatever their intentions, AAP has made corruption centre-stage. This should lead to at least some improvement in the quality of legislators and reduce visible corruption. That is already a big step forward. However, this was not by design. In terms of actual intent AAP has offered only simplistic, nonsensical solutions and shown a strong left bent. Its strategy is of a party who wants to win at any cost rather than of a party which is serious about reforming the system. India desperately needs economic development, judicial reforms and government services reforms to both go ahead and contain corruption. Judging by its actions to date, it doesn’t look like AAP is going to deliver it any time soon.

Thinking AK

Arvind Kejriwal (AK) has come up as an important force in Indian politics. Only time will tell whether he will indeed be a force for good. For now, we should give him an opportunity to prove himself. My take on key issues concerning AK:

Water and Electricity Subsidies: Unfortunately, subsidies have become an integral part of Indian politics. Every political party indulges in this game to win votes. AAP has just followed the game and it has paid dividends. However, it doesn’t make it a right, well-thought decision. As a commentator said, if Narendra Modi (NaMo) did this, he would first focus on getting the pipelines and setting up power plants before making such promises. As seen in Gujrat, people are willing to pay if they can get 24x7 access to basic amenities. Instead of trying to solve the problem, AAP simply cashed on it like any other opportunistic political party. This can be condoned if they change course and address the actual problem now when they are in power. We will have to wait and watch.

Corruption: In the next few months AAP should follow-on its promise of making life difficult for the corrupt, irrespective of their status. It should not appear that they are giving Congress any leeway or it will damage their reputation. Targeting big-shots will go a long way in establishing their credibility. This is their true advantage over any political party and they would do well to not let it slip away. Again, we will have to wait and watch.

Economics: Given that it was market liberalization that has given India its current level of prosperity, left leaning instincts of AAP do worry me. If they can find a balance between populism and effective economic policy, only then can they provide India with a long-term solution. Again, here NaMo’s development model and willingness to put development first gives comfort. NaMo is the only politician who seriously talks about development and economic reforms as priority one. AK may as well learn from it and display it during his term as the CM.

AK for PM: AK has made a brilliant debut and only a fool will question his skills in mobilizing people and oration. However, it may be prudent to first let him prove his mettle as the CM before saying that he will be a good PM. He is an unknown quantity. Even though I am sure he will be better than Congress or Third-Front, I am not convinced as of now that he will be better than NaMo. Talk is cheap and we can argue endlessly, but the fact of the matter is that he does not have a track record as far as administration and economics is concerned. Let him show what he can do in Delhi and only then it would make sense to consider him capable enough to handle the responsibility of the PM.