TOPIC OF THE DAY:-“Stable dictatorships”
In a topsy-turvy world, it would appear that autocracies or dictatorships remain more stable, while democracies seem increasingly dysfunctional. Under President Xi Jinping, China, for instance, is making steady progress, despite the occasional dip in economic forecasts. The party remains in tight control of affairs. Mr. Xi and the Chinese Communist Party have on their radar milestones such as ‘wiping out poverty and becoming a moderately prosperous society by 2021’ (100th anniversary of the founding of the party); a ‘Made in China target to be completed by 2025’; and turning ‘China into a fully developed nation by 2049’ (100th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China). No hiccups are in sight.
Russia is, again, not constrained by contrarian pulls and pressures. It has entered into a strategic relationship with China, is seeking to consolidate its influence in Eurasia, and has been able to stand up to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the West. Its economy is also on the mend. Other dictatorial regimes, such as Turkey, are proving more resilient than democratic regimes across the world, and better able to manage turmoil within and outside their borders.
Most democracies, on the other hand, reveal a far from homogeneous state of affairs, with ruling and opposition parties increasingly working at cross purposes. Germany’s plight today is largely due to Ms. Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union and coalition partner, the Christian Social Union, pulling in different directions. Such trends are a common occurrence today.
Equally disconcerting is the plight of political parties themselves in many democracies. Many act in a manner that appears like an indictment of democratic politics. In the U.K., for instance, the Conservative and Labour parties face serious internal divisions. In the U.S., both Republicans and Democrats appear in poor shape. Political parties in France are hardly better situated. What all this presages for the future of democracies is a matter of conjecture.
Indian democracy, unfortunately, is not an exception. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) currently projects an image of a strong centralised party. Most other parties are riven by internal dissensions. Yet, the BJP has been unable to ensure the smooth functioning of Parliament. The BJP’s inability, despite its brute majority in the Lok Sabha, to ‘manage’ a determined Opposition is a serious chink in its armour. More unfortunate, it has resulted in a paralysis of informed discussion and debate. Absence of a debate of this nature in Parliament has a direct impact on the conduct of affairs of state.
For example, there had existed for a long time a broad consensus among parties in Parliament about the conduct of foreign affairs. Today, the consensus appears to have broken down. This has happened precisely when India’s external policies have come under strain. The nation, however, has the right to know the correct state of affairs, which is possible only through a detailed discussion in Parliament. The ruling party seems in no hurry to restore the consensus.
MEANINGS AND WORDS
1) Bewildering
Meaning: Confusing or perplexing.
Example: “There is a bewildering array of holidays to choose from”
2) Euphoric
Meaning: Characterized by or feeling intense excitement and happiness.
Example: “A euphoric sense of freedom”
Synonyms: Happy, Gleeful
Antonyms: Miserable
3) Lurks
Meaning: A profitable stratagem; a dodge or scheme.
Example: “You’ll soon learn the lurks and perks”
4) Perils
Meaning: Serious and immediate danger.
Example: “You could well place us both in peril”
Synonyms: Danger, Risk
Antonyms: Safety, Security
5) Upheavals
Meaning: A violent or sudden change or disruption to something.
Example: “Major upheavals in the financial markets”
Synonyms: Disruption, Trouble
Antonyms: Stability, Tranquillity
6) Escalating
Meaning: Increase rapidly.
Example: “The price of tickets escalated”
Synonyms: Mount, Surge
Antonyms: Plunge
7) Spectacle
Meaning: A visually striking performance or display.
Example: “The acrobatic feats make a good spectacle”
Synonyms: Show, Performance
8) Exploded
Meaning: (Of a person) suddenly give expression to violent emotion, especially anger.
Example: “He exploded with rage”
Synonyms: Range, Bluster
9) Rigmarole
Meaning: A long, rambling story or statement.
Example: “She went into a long rigmarole about the different jobs she’d had”
Synonyms: Burble, Yarn
10) Communiqué
Meaning: An official announcement or statement, especially one made to the media.
Example: “The country’s foreign ministry issued a communique”
Synonyms: Release, Announcement
11) Endorsement
Meaning: The action of endorsing someone or something.
Example: “The issue of full independence received overwhelming endorsement”
Synonyms: Support, Approval
Antonyms: Opposition
12) Eschew
Meaning: Deliberately avoid using; abstain from.
Example: “He appealed to the crowd to eschew violence”
Synonyms: Forgo, Shun
13) Dismantle
Meaning: Take (a machine or structure) to pieces.
Example: “The engines were dismantled and the bits piled into a heap”
Synonyms: Deconstruct, Disassemble
Antonyms: Assemble, Build
14) Arsenal
Meaning: A collection of weapons and military equipment.
Example: “Britain’s nuclear arsenal”
Synonyms: Weaponry, Arms
15) Akin
Meaning: Of similar character.
Example: “Something akin to gratitude overwhelmed her”
Synonyms: Similar, Related
Antonyms: Unlike
16) Powder kegs
Meaning: A situation or a place that could easily become extremely dangerous.
Example: “The new tax is a political powder keg which could result in widespread violence”
17) Blow up
Meaning: (Of a scandal or dispute) emerge or become public.
Example: “A crisis blew up between the two countries in 1967”
Synonyms: Arise, Emerge
18) Embroiled
Meaning: Involve (someone) deeply in an argument, conflict, or difficult situation.
Example: “The organization is currently embroiled in running battles with pressure groups”
Synonyms: Involve, Entangle
19) Intensified
Meaning: Become or make more intense.
Example: “The dispute began to intensify”
Synonyms: Escalate, Boost
Antonyms: Lessen, Abate
20) Convulsed
Meaning: (Of an emotion, laughter, or physical stimulus) cause (someone) to make sudden, violent, uncontrollable movements.
Example: “She rocked backwards and forwards, convulsed with helpless mirth”
