CHAPTER 19. BENEFITS OF APOLITICISM

from our upcoming book Our Secret Book of Benefits

About a decade ago I developed a desire to understand how politics works. And to my surprise,

I found that most political parties, most politicians from all the nations are corrupt, illiterates, ill-mannered, abusive, have criminal background, use money and muscle power to get votes and remain in power.
Most aim to stay in power by fooling the voters with false promises.
Most aim to enjoy lavish lifestyle, huge bungalows and other perks like free air/rail travel, telephone, security, cars, subsidy on food, preferential treatment for medical treatment including treatment in foreign countries.
They award themselves hefty salaries and allowance even when they don't work for years.
They keep themselves above the law and accountability using wrong means.
Most party leaders abuse and criticise each other but personally they are good friends and do dirty politics hand in glove. Any moment, they will get together for personal gains.
Most are busy pushing their families in the politics and business during their tenure by bending rules.
Most of them siphon off government funds.
almost all major projects are formed to maintain themselves and their extended circle of relatives and friends.
Most of them change the parties for money and plum post.
Most of them own education institutions and make business out of it.
They keep the social issues alive and burning, so as to maintain their power. A struggling man has no time to question the acts of politician.
Essentially, most politicians flourish by cheating the people, making money, enjoying lavish lifestyle, indulging in crimes and making a mockery of the democracy.
I found that no country on earth is free from homelessness, illiteracy, unemployment, social conflicts, poverty and violence.
There may be few good politicians but they are few and far.
Politics is the last refuse / hideout of the scoundrels.

So, obviously, I developed an apathy for bad politics & politicians. I don't have any shred of hope or belief in any politician. This is called Apoliticism.

However, Apoliticism comes at a cost. As I don't like bad politicians, I would not like to have special benefit from them, as well. So far so good. I have not begged for any help from any bad politician, starting from the village level Gram Panchayat member. And I make all efforts to live this way. I keep my life simple and free of big desires. Hence, I enjoy a privilege to live with my apolitical ideology.

While it's impossible to be entirely apolitical, choosing not to strongly align with any specific political party or ideology offers some personal benefits:

1. Reduced Conflict and Stress:

Less emotional investment: Not being tied to a specific side reduces the emotional rollercoaster of political wins and losses. I feel less anger or disappointment about election results. I am also free from the need to defend the past, present and future actions and ideology of any party!
More harmonious relationships: Politics is divisive. By not aligning strongly, I am able to avoid heated arguments with friends and family who hold different views. This is good more peaceful and respectful relationships.

2. Openness to Different Perspectives:

Critical thinking: Not being tied to a specific ideology encourages me to consider issues from multiple angles. I am more open to understanding different viewpoints and finding common ground.
Balanced information consumption: I am less likely to fall into echo chambers where I only consume information that confirms my biases. This has lead to a more nuanced understanding of complex issues.

3. Personal Freedom:

Independent thought: I am not obligated to agree with everything any party or ideological group says. This allows for more independent thought and the ability to form my own opinions on individual issues.
Flexibility: I support policies or candidates from different parties based on my individual beliefs and values, rather than blindly following a party line.

4. Focus on Other Interests:

Time and energy: Actively engaging in politics is time-consuming. By not aligning strongly, I had freed up time and energy to focus on other interests and hobbies.
Reduced exposure to negativity: The political world is full of negativity and conflict. By distancing myself, I have reduced my to this negativity and improved my overall well-being.

Important Note: While there are potential benefits to not strongly aligning with any political side, it's crucial to remember that political decisions affect everyone. It's important to stay informed about the issues and participate in the political process in a way that feels right for you, even if that means not aligning with a particular party.

I have no power over any political decisions taken at any level; this means that I don't need to worry about any political idea at all. My worry has absolutely no power.

Take Care