Can a Politician Truly Promote Enlightenment While Seeking Power?
New Delhi, 2025 — Politics, by its nature, is often seen as the art of governing with power, making decisions that shape the future of nations and their people. Yet, when power becomes the primary goal of politicians, questions arise about their ability to promote true enlightenment—a state of intellectual and moral clarity, rooted in wisdom, justice, and service to society. The dichotomy between seeking power and promoting enlightenment brings to light an important question: Can a politician genuinely seek the greater good and advance the collective welfare while simultaneously pursuing their own political ambitions?
In India, a vibrant democracy that faces complex issues, the motivations of political leaders are regularly scrutinized. Are they genuinely committed to advancing enlightenment and societal progress, or is their pursuit of power motivated by personal or party gains? This article delves into the tension between political power and the promotion of enlightenment, exploring the philosophical and practical challenges inherent in this question.
The Philosophical Tension: Power vs. Enlightenment
- Plato’s Philosopher-King: Power with Wisdom
- Plato’s concept of the Philosopher-King presents an ideal form of leadership, where power is exercised by a ruler who is driven by wisdom and knowledge, rather than self-interest. In Plato’s view, a true leader would govern with enlightenment in mind, understanding that their power must be used not for personal gain but to promote the welfare of society.
- However, in the real world of politics, self-interest and ambition often cloud this ideal. The pursuit of power, especially in a competitive electoral system, can make it difficult for leaders to consistently prioritize wisdom and justice. The question remains: can politicians genuinely seek to enlighten society if their own personal or party-driven goals remain at the forefront of their political journey?
- The Gandhian Approach: Power as Service, Not Self-Interest
- Mahatma Gandhi rejected the idea of power for its own sake, instead emphasizing leadership rooted in service, truth, and non-violence. Gandhi’s leadership model focused on the idea of power used for the collective welfare of society rather than personal or political dominance. His leadership was not about controlling others, but about guiding them through ethical action and moral clarity.
- In contrast, modern political leaders often find themselves navigating the political terrain with the dual challenge of retaining power while fulfilling promises. This constant balancing act raises the question: can power-focused leadership still align with the ideals of enlightenment and social progress?
The Political Reality: The Struggle Between Power and Purpose
- The Rise of Populism: Short-Term Power Gains
- In contemporary Indian politics, populist rhetoric has often become a central tool for gaining power. Leaders may prioritize short-term promises that appeal to voters—freebies, subsidies, and immediate relief—rather than long-term policy solutions aimed at systemic change. This focus on winning votes through emotional appeals can dilute the pursuit of enlightened governance, which requires a long-term, thoughtful approach to national issues like education, healthcare, and employment.
- The 2019 and 2024 elections saw numerous instances of political parties promising short-term relief without addressing underlying issues, such as unemployment, farmer distress, and poverty. Populist measures can hinder true enlightenment in governance by reducing complex social issues to simple, vote-winning promises that lack sustainable impact.
- Leadership and Accountability: The Role of Opposition
- Political power becomes even more complex when the opposition fails to challenge the ruling government effectively. In the absence of a strong opposition, political leaders may become increasingly complacent, unable to face accountability for their actions. This unchecked power can lead to authoritarian tendencies, with leaders using their authority for personal or party gains rather than the welfare of the public.
- A weak opposition in India has often been criticized for failing to provide constructive criticism or offer alternative policies, which allows ruling parties to dominate without the necessary checks on their power. Without a strong counterforce, politicians may be tempted to misuse their power, rather than using it to bring about enlightenment through thoughtful, inclusive governance.
- The Influence of Corruption and Power Centralization
- The centralization of power within a few hands can also be a breeding ground for corruption. When leaders focus on accumulating more power, rather than governing responsibly, there is a temptation to make deals and engage in corrupt practices to secure political survival. This erosion of ethical standards makes it challenging for politicians to serve society with enlightenment, as their decisions become influenced by personal or party interests.
- The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) continue to report rising levels of corruption in India’s political system, with politicians often seen using their power to enrich themselves and their associates rather than uplift the broader population.
The Role of Political Leaders in Promoting Enlightenment
- Enlightened Governance: A Focus on Public Welfare
- To truly promote enlightenment, political leaders must prioritize the long-term welfare of the people over short-term political gain. Policy initiatives like the National Health Protection Scheme (Ayushman Bharat) and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana are examples where government action seeks to address systemic issues like healthcare access and housing affordability, aiming to provide lasting benefits to the population.
- Leaders must also focus on education, socio-economic development, and environmental sustainability, areas where enlightened policies can create a lasting positive impact on future generations. To do so, political leaders must rise above political ambitions and act as stewards of the nation’s resources, making decisions that benefit the collective good.
- Leaders as Catalysts for Social Change
- True leaders must not only promote enlightenment through policy but also act as catalysts for social change. Empowering marginalized communities, advocating for women’s rights, and addressing caste-based disparities should be central to any leader’s political agenda. Leaders like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Indira Gandhi exemplified this idea, using their political power to create a more inclusive society.
- Today’s leaders must be committed to continuing this legacy of social justice, ensuring that opportunityand fairness are available to all, regardless of caste, gender, or economic status.
Conclusion: Power and Enlightenment Must Coexist for True Leadership
The question of whether a politician can truly promote enlightenment while seeking power is both philosophical and practical. The reality is that power is often necessary for implementing the policies and reforms that drive social progress. However, it is the moral compass of the leader that determines whether that power is used for the greater good or for self-interest.
For India to truly thrive, political leaders must transcend the mere pursuit of power and strive to embody the values of justice, knowledge, and ethical governance. Only then can they create a political landscape where enlightenment—embodied in policies, actions, and leadership—is the guiding force for change.
