What is a system? A system is defined as a network of interrelated components which have been assembled in order to achieve a common goal/objective. A system basically is set up in order to fulfill that objective and the various components required for attaining the same in a smooth fashion.
An individual’s daily routine can be seen as a journey through various systems. He/she is constantly moving from one system to another in order to get through the day. The system can be self installed or can be a 3rd party process which he/she has to undergo. In other words, we can say that an individual’s routine is achieved through a network of interconnected (NOT interrelated always) systems! Thus this network of systems can be referred to as a Super System! Needless to say that a person’s routine is enriched or harmed based on how this super system works. Expanding the statement, I can say that the quality of the routine depends upon and is restricted by the quality of the each and every individual system he/she transits through.
Now that it is established that all systems impact an individual through their routine, we can have a closer look at the systems themselves. Let’s consider the systems introduced in the country. If the government or whoever it is that wants to help or enrich the life of its citizen would be designing a system to do exactly that. It is very rare to find a system which doesn’t want to assist the individual. Even the legal system provides a way for the guilty suspect to be given a chance. So, basically system is initiated to help! If it helps individuals, it increases satisfaction level which in turns helps them to trust the system. But what if this system turns for the worst? What if the very guidelines or rules which help establish the system lead to more dissatisfaction than trust? Would the individual be right in his place to go ahead and fight it? Ideally yes, he has the right and the power to do the same. But I am bit skeptical if that is possible in a country like ours.
Let me give you an example of the way the Police authorities have established a system. Suppose my bank account is hacked and someone transfers all the money into his own account and goes ahead and withdraws the same from an ATM. This would be a police complain for which I would need to go to a Police station. This should be a simple thing right? However, it is there that I find out that I need to go to multiple places just to get my complaint registered!!! The rules of the system become so conflicting that the Police think of rule 1 and tell me “You need to go to the Police station which is closest to the branch office where you have an account”. When I argue that the transfer was done online and the money was transfer to an account which is in a branch closer to this police station, reply based on rule 2 and 3 says “You need to go to Cyber crime cell as this is an online case”. What this system lacks is accountability and flexibility. This system forgets or ignores the state of mind the people coming have. If they are truly there to help the people then they should not make them run around from point A to B. Instead they should have an internal mechanism which enables them to register a complaint with Cyber Crime branch and also the various other places where this has relevance. How can this be achieved? One answer can be infrastructure. Development of this infrastructure is also system in itself!!! This can establish how 1 system affects another one!
When you face a system which lacks accountability and flexibility, you should have the right (as the basic and primary inputs to the system) to call for a change. However, is it really that simple? Yes it can be, if this request for change is taken in the right spirit. Most of the time, such a request is taken as a threat to the system. Changes involve drawing people out of their comfort zone. This is the simple concept of resistance to change. This resistance becomes prominent which the person doing it has power. In a country like India, system corruption is a common thing. It is a naturally accepted fact. Thus when you try to change the way of functioning of powerful but corrupt people, you rattle the cages which in turn brings about consequences. Now, in a country like India, it is needless to say that people are scared and afraid to fight the system becoz of 3 basic points… (a) No one wants to get their hands dirty; (b) they have dependants which might also land up in problems (c) They just don’t have any time!!
Yes, the natural argument is that “no system is perfect” and “how simple people can bring about a change”. Perfectly valid questions, however, they are not practical enough to be asked and answered. The point is that since the system is so corrupt and dirty, it doesn’t need tuning, it needs an overhaul. A brand new system introduced by new set of individuals is the way to go. This might sound a bit radical but this is the only way one can guarantee that the system becomes corruption-free. But then such a system cannot be perfect from the onset. But there is a surety that such a corruption free system can be made perfect through the concept of evolution. Clean systems would tend to have accountability and flexibility which would in turn increase trust and faith in them. This would further give impetus to improvement and development of the system and also increase the satisfaction levels of the people who are the primary reason these systems are in place - We the People!
