Implications of politics in India on the World scene

Sonia Gandhi sat with Indian Prime Minister Manuonan Singh

Sonia Gandhi sat with Indian Prime Minister Manuonan Singh, and discussed the future of India today. India, the world's largest democracy, and the world's largest English speaking nation has again surprised the rest of the globe. The nation had been dominated by the BJP party for years.

Bihari Vajpayee's party, was a strong Hindu oriented culture, with a strong dose of big business and "free market economics". But the party also had given tax incentives and regulatory breaks to almost every sector of its prosperous and emerging upper class.

To the surprise of almost everyone, Sonya Ghandi's party swept the elections. The message was clear. The vast majority of India's population did not feel that they participated in the wealth and good fortune of the 5% at the top of India's economy. They didn't trust a government that seemed to be moving away from "secular" government, and feared a government that used "religion" mixed with "politics" to achieve its goals.

So, almost overnight, a government, that seemed unbeatable, was swept away.

Could this be the beginning in a trend for the entire world? India's political scene, a government that catered to big business, the rich, and the powerful, and fundamentalist religious leaders are not unlike what we see in other nations. Consider the United States. The Bush Administration is based on support with favoritism to big business, and caters to fundamentalist religious groups. Could it be that the people of nations such as the U.S. will (as the people of India did) decide that giant business and fundamentalist religious leaders don't necessarily represent the best interests of the nation? Consider the possibilities for social justice and world peace if a more enlightened leadership emerges in the USA!

India's sweeping political change could be a "sea change" for world politics. We have seen events like this, create ripple effects that impact the entire globe. What if Israel, suddenly finds that the hard liners of its nation are suddenly out of favor and more progressive and enlightened people take the leadership helm? Consider the implications for world peace if a different government approach emerges in Israel. What if Israel finds leaders who didn't have to use tanks and missiles and helicopters to destroy neighborhoods, to assert their political will?

What if nations such as Nepal, suddenly find that progressive intellectuals can gain leadership positions, and fairly deal with the social injustices and corruption that have plagued that nation for generations?

What if Kingdoms like Cambodia, suddenly find that enlightened leaders can initiate programs of social improvement and provide more economic opportunity for the masses that work so hard for so little.

What if nations such as Mexico, see leadership arise that could substantially help the poor indignant farmers and poor people of Tabasco or Chiapas to find economic security.

What if the nation of Guatemala, finds leaders who do not agree that 2% of the population should own and control 98% of the land and property of the nation? What if the people of the country side suddenly find that they have the opportunity to own the land that they have been slaved to for generations.

What if nations such as China, find new leaders who can understand tolerance for Tibetans, and other minorities. What if China's new leaders learned how not to be continually a "threat" to their bordering neighbors?

Stay tuned. We may be seeing the tides changing in this world.