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Bhaktivedanta Leadership Newsletter

 

People and Government

 

If the people themselves are dishonest, the administrative machinery must be

corrupt. ... if the people are not good they cannot have good government ...

Therefore good character in the consciousness of the mass of people is the

first principle necessary for a good government ... In ancient days the

kings were taught lessons in political philosophy by ideal teachers, and the

citizens from village to village were taught the principles of

self-realization according to the Vedic codes for both the material and the

spiritual upliftment of society. Therefore the citizens were God conscious

and honest in their dealings, and the kings were responsible for the welfare

of the state. ... When disobedient leaders lead the disobedient people, the

whole atmosphere of the administration becomes polluted and full of dangers,

as when a blind man leads several other blind men. The state taxes,

therefore, should be spent to build the character of the people in general.

That will bring happiness to the citizens of the state.

 

Light of the Bhagavata, Verse 2, Purport

 

Editor's Note

 

In order to have a successful society, both the leaders and the people must

obey the laws of God, even if the it is a society of devotees. For example,

if we break the law of trust, we will never have unified movement. Actually,

we cannot break God's law (at least not indefinitely), we can only break

ourselves against the law.