Given the mess that our political system is in, I wonder why professionals have not seriously looked at creating a political startup. Present service providers have been providing low quality services for decades in what really should be a buyers’ market given that we are a democratic country. People have been crying for a better deal but those who can make a difference seem to be indifferent.
The present political parties are beset with the following problems which in turn have resulted in a loss making entity called India.
1. Corruption at the highest levels of governement and the bureaucracy
2. Short sighted decisions based on electoral concerns
3. Putting self (i.e. power) before national interest
4. Nexus with criminals and businessmen
5. Low level of education
These are all surmountable if the political party consists of highly motivated professionals who run the show (and the country) like any well managed company which treats the shareholders (citizens in this case) with respect.
The founders will require a transformational mindset.
The opportunity is huge and so is the required investment. Are there any VCs/Angels willing to invest in a political party startup which will function like any professionally managed company and provide a clean and effective government?
I would love to be part of such a startup. We owe to ourselves if not to the country. If anyone in this community of entrepreneurs is interested do let me know.
- Why Not A Political Startup - December 3, 2008
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Thanks for the link Alok.
Business model is a bit complex and will evolve depending on the stage of the start up. However, here is an attempt to articulate:
To begin with, there must be an agreement between the party and the investors on the manifesto as that will be the driving force for initiatives of the party. This will be the main driver for the investor. If the party strays from the manifesto, the investor will have an option to withdraw. The party and investor will also need to define ‘return on investment’: sometimes tangible and at other times indirect.
Below is a possible scenario:
– The start-up’s initial focus will be on gaining membership and convincing the public that it is serious about its efforts. The seriousness will have to demonstrated by means of launching projects/activism to address some of the issues and using existing mechanisms (like RTI) to expose corruption and inefficiency.
– The above phase should act as a good pilot and the growth in membership and successful execution of projects along with marketing efforts ( esp. using word of mouth) should help in securing next level of funding.
If the membership crosses a critical threshold (to be set), then it should be possible to win elections for some candidates if not all.
The party organization will be structured like a corporate entity
When in Power,
– each MP/MLA will run his/her consituency as a BU and will be free to seek funding to support growth of the constituency within the framework of the overall corporate objectives
– Providing long term return on investments in various infra intiatives that the government (of the party) will take. Funds will come in the form of public and private shareholding.
– Government’s role to be limited to creating the right environment and regulation
– Profitability (for non-social projects) to be benchmarked and monitored
Not sure if I have answered your question well 🙂 but I am sure it can be refined with some help.
Shashank
Leaving the “business model” discussion apart… pls checkout Lok-Paritran http://www.lok-paritran.org/
I also don’t agree to such idea. The main motive behind a starup (or any business) is to create value and increase investor wealth. A political startup is not supposed to work for profit, if I understand correctly. A for-profit startup wouldnt be social anymore.
Check out http://www.ppi.net.in.
From a funding standpoint, whats the business model of a political party?
Interesting post. Maybe I’ll be one of the few that doesn’t believe in the concept, simply because while the idea may be appealing, the market doesn’t care?
I for one, believe that the issues that face us with the Indian political system are in large part due to the complete lack of civic responsibility of the citizen. We, as citizens of the world’s largest democracy, don’t seem to remember our responsibilities, just our rights – Yes, i do remember a little bit of Class 8 Civics.
We, the people, for the people…
1. Corruption at the highest levels of government and the bureaucracy – so what have we done to change it. How many of us choose to pay the actual fine when pulled over by the traffic cop, vs. the reduced fine in bribe. IMHO, corruption is caused by the payees, not as much by the receivers.
2. Short sighted decisions based on electoral concerns – and isn’t it the citizens who forget and elect the same people to power again?
3. Putting self (i.e. power) before national interest – see point 2 above.
4. Nexus with criminals and businessmen – and as successful businesses, do we not participate?
5. Low level of education – how many uneducated people did I try and educate today?
I’m not trying to be insensitive or smug. Since i moved to India from the valley a year or so ago, the lack of civic sense is the ONLY thing that’s continued to bug me (not the traffic, or the smog, or anything else).
Having just witnessed an election in the US where a black man was voted to power, I couldn’t help notice the role of the average person in that victory. I, along with my friends, and millions of others, took it upon ourselves to make calls to people in swing states – simply to educate them on the impact of the economy, global warming, the sarah palin factor, etc. – rather than leave them to vote based on what they heard in ads or based on their party affiliation. What would happen if each “educated” person in the tech/bpo/financial services and related industries “educated” 10 uneducated people on the real issues and got them to vote the right way – not based on the 3 Rs. price tag of onions for a month, or based on religion.
The market for this startup is us – the educated people. And franly, i don’t think we care – yet!. I look forward to the day when the market (us) cares – and doesn’t use the “what good is my action alone” to escape the responsibility.