The intricacies of politics is as old as the civilisation. In ancient time, there was a great politician named Chanakya [350-275 BC]. He was also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta. He was born at Pataliputra, Magadha [now Bihar] and later became the professor of political science at Takshashila University [now in Pakistan]. He was responsible for the rapid expansion of Maurjya dynasty as a Prime Minister of emperor Chandragupta Maurjya. Chanakya is regarded as one of the earliest known political thinkers, economists and king makers. He compiled his political ideas in his book Arthashastra, one of the world's earliest treatise on political thought and social order. His philosophy could be understood from his sayings, a few of them are,

“A debt should be paid off till the last penny, an enemy should be destroyed without a trace.”. “Whores do not live in company of poor men, birds do not build nests on a tree that does not bear fruits and citizens never support a weak administration.” “The four greatest enemies of a man are the father who has taken a loan, the characterless mother, the beautiful but promiscuous wife and the stupid child.”

Niccolo Machiavelli was a political philosopher and is best known for his work, “The Prince”. Machiavelli was born on May 3, 1469 in Florence, Italy. In The Prince, Machiavelli offered the advice designed to keep monarchical ruler in power. Machiavelli advised the monarch that he could best preserve his power by the judicious use of violence, by respecting private property and the tradition of subjects and by promoting material prosperity. Machiavelli's political morality is to pursue the means to gain and hold power. Machiavelli reasons that politics is war, no matter which way you cut it. “Thus you must know that there are two kinds of combat: one with laws, the other with force. The first is proper to man, the second to beast; but because the first is often not enough; one must have recourse to the second.”

According to Aristotle, the great philosopher, the proper aim of politics is moral virtue. “Politics takes the greatest care in making the citizens to be of a certain sort, namely good and capable of noble actions.” Some of the political philosophers feel that politicians are least trustworthy professionals since they do not have any confidence on ethics and morality. Jonathan Swift, the author of Gulliver's Travels, said: “Politics, as the word is commonly understood, nothing but corruption.” George Orwell said: “Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidarity to pure wind”.

The debate on the imperatives of morality and its implications on politics is delicate and dilatable. A political leader might be charismatic or inspirational but must give people a common goal with which they can wholeheartedly identify.

A heritage of political wisdom and cultural virtue has been persisting in Bangladesh with a sense of morality and integrity. Politicians have been honoured as respectable persons to impart justice, resolve problems, remove differences and establish just and equitable society. They are supposed to act as catalyst of development, focal point of governance who organise community in case of any debacle. Even now, public by and large, approach the political leaders even in time of personal needs and to deal with government offices..

But, of late public at large are getting frustrated to observe rapid erosion of this value system among politicians. National level political leaders are gradually becoming more indoctrinated with the ideology of Chanayka or Machiavelli where morality is sacrificed to the flame of power and force of money. Citizens of all strata like to see the philosophy of a political party with commitment on economic front as well as governance issues with honesty, equality, transparency and accountability. Too much of diplomacy, party favouritism, vengeance and violence are disregarded and disdained by the public at large. Voters obviously get irritated when they observe the decay of morality in the leadership making funs with justice. At the same time, some politicians even try to get convicts at large in connivance and glorify autocrats with end motive. Countrymen usually withdraw their confidence on political leaders when they find their little sympathy for landless farmers, hardcore poor, daily wage earners as against the price spiral, monga or natural disaster and rather soft corner for drug traffickers and marauders. Examples are not far to seek of an influential member of the parliament losing his seat in the election due to his known moral turpitude and corruption.

Politicians who can establish rule of law at national level, deliver social justice to the community and generate excellence in building character are respected, honoured and eventually elected to power. Any deviation from these norms of societal values must bring disaster to politicians and political parties who disown and disregard the value system still prevailing in Bangladesh.

Dhiraj Kumar Nath is a former Secretary.