Collective psyche – The Economic Times

Whenever elections come up, people are bombarded with different ideologies, debates, criticisms, promises and futuristic visions. According to political psychology, in this emotionally charged atmosphere, there are many voters who get fervently swayed by the rhetoric and, so, find it hard to make a rational choice. They usually vote for a candidate who mirrors and reinforces their psychological, occupational, social, ethnic or religious identity in a hope that once selected, the candidate will help them in safeguarding and consolidating this identity. It is also observed that individuals dislike candidates who seem to challenge their identity and world view, and may go to extremes to lobby against them.Therefore, the outcomes of such electoral choices are never exceptional. Our representatives are forever worried of antagonising their support groups and a lot of their work is directed at keeping their voters happy, often ignoring the larger collective good.

The Tamil spiritual classic, Thirukkural, clearly states that a representative who guides the country wrongly is worse than numerous external enemies. It says that an ideal minister is one who is physically and mentally strong, morally upright, hardworking, intelligent and compassionate. He takes correct and firm decisions, and executes them boldly.

We can make a new beginning by relinquishing our selfish interests, renouncing divisive groups. In short, a transformation in the collective psyche of voters can bring a similar transformation in the collective psyche of candidates and turn them into more enlightened representatives.