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From: rajeev@sfsup.UUCP (S.Rajeev)
Newsgroups: net.nlang.india
Subject: Re: Re: Mountbatten series
Message-ID: <190@sfsup.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 28-Mar-86 20:13:11 EST
Article-I.D.: sfsup.190
Posted: Fri Mar 28 20:13:11 1986
Date-Received: Tue, 1-Apr-86 04:37:02 EST
References: <115@Shasta> <8800002@ccvaxa>
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In response to ccvaxa!aglew:

> My question is this: is it not dangerous combining the ceremonial functions
> of state with the executive; the executive has real power, the ceremonial
> head-of-state "awe"some power, when one person exercises both forms of
> power it may be difficult for constitutional mechanisms to control.

I'm not really convinced this is a big problem, but even granted that it
is, please note that the Indian constitution provides for this
eventuality in the following manner: there is a Prime Minister with
"real power" and a President who is the head of state, but who really has
no power, "awesome" or otherwise.

However, you have really changed the subject: what you said initially
was that Mrs. Gandhi was treated like a god-king by villagers who gave
her flowers and gifts. What irritated me was the ethnocentricism in that
comment. Could you please explain to me how much more sensible than
showering a politician with flowers the trappings of US democracy, for 
example, $500-a-plate dinners, are? (It'd be so much less ridiculous to 
just donate the $500 and be done with it!) We all go through our silly
little rituals...

(By the way, as a Canadian you are no stranger to being at the receiving
end of ethnocentrism: I find it amusing and quaint that Canadians always
say "North American", thereby including themselves, whereas the brash Yank
would simply say "American", in referring to, say, sports!)