The same incidence had me ponder over concept of Power. (i am totally smitten by this concept and see power relations everywhere). Anyway...
Traffic was blocked and some kind volunteers took charge of the situtation. and the bottleneck was resolved in no time.Had a policeman done the same, it would seem very natural to a student of political sociology. but here these were ordinary men ( yes no woman was involved), one from upper middle class and one perhaps a kiosk owner. nobody wore uniform, didn't have a baton, whistle or the usual paraphernalia . Yet everyone obeyed sans any objection.
How does this happen? obeying government or institutional rules is very natural ( power of the state).. we are conditioned to do so..but what makes us obey fellow citizens who have no special authority or visible power than us? what is the source of such unusual or un-obvious power? is it because we have been taught to follow someone, that we have internalised obedience? is this type of Hegemony infused in our souls? Why do we need control?
Will the situation be different in a liberal society? and it unfolded in a certain way because Indian society is a command society? In the concerned situation, people obeyed a stranger because it was in their interest. so his momentary power was respected. it would be interesting too see if such power can be exercised in an event of great opposition.
Time to find answer to these questions!!
Another pertinent observation. Great going Amruta!
ReplyDeleteI think the respect is down to the fact that people's problems are momentarily solved, so they don't have a problem obeying. That is exactly what the traffic police (the State) is supposed to do and does. We just look at the helper as a ephemeral messiah and the police as authority. The two are practically doing the same job.
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