Bhutto and Archetypes

 

The Bhutto episode calls for some serious pondering. I didn’t feel like going at it until I had my thoughts straight. The assassination itself being a shameful and cowardly act, it also draws our attention to some serious flaws in the thinking of the political populace-us.

 

Benazir Bhutto had remained an Iconic figure inspite of her exile for several years and her return was received with fervent adulation. But was this adulation for BB directed only towards her prowess as a leader, a ‘revolutionary’ or more towards the fact that she was part of the ‘Dynasty’, the Bhutto Dynasty. Did she only feed the people’s image of their own beloved ‘heir’ to the throne? There is a deep-rooted tendency amongst mankind to look towards a Hero, the archetype who fights evil, restores happiness, never stops campaigning for the good inspite of the many pitfalls. This tendency has now taken centre-stage in our political theatrics.

 

In political realms this ‘Hero’ is not just a single person but a whole unit, a family of heroes so to speak only by the virtue of being related to each other, black sheep and all- they will unfailingly step onto the pedestal just like in a supermarket line to handover the prized coupons. One hero is eliminated, another sets camp, he/she goes, another steps forward, it’s pointless to debate their abilities to lay claim to the post. What matters is the family name.

 

It cannot be denied that BB might’ve had a head over her shoulders but who was really listening, it was only the visual appeal, the poster-girl and her charisma- I suspect her party used her shamelessly. I’m no political analyst but it only takes half a brain to come to a few tentative conclusions, it doesn’t look good, never did. I feel sorry for poor Bilawal that he has to now wear the bloodied crown, step into mama’s shoes, all the while appearing to want this and also winning. He’s only 19 for pity’s sake, would it be too much to leave him alone for some time. But I guess the families want this hierarchical drama as much as the nation, who’s to step in play the real hero.

 

We Indians have our own Hero-family of an archetypical appeasement, the Gandhi family. Only Sonia has so far appeared to be fairly competent unlike her predecessors, if blood tells, there’s no doubt about the origins of that steely determination and I think that’s her saving grace. I find debates about the origins of leaders altogether ridiculous, we’re all humans lest we’ve forgotten, so along as we’re qualified and understand- stand up, speak, lead. It doesn’t matter if one is Italian, Ethiopian or Taiwanese.

 

Tizzy from the ramble but feel much better than before :) , would go on and on but I assume you’ve caught on.

 

Peace then.