Tokenism, according to the Cambridge Dictionary, is “something that a person or organization does that seems to support or help a group of people who are treated unfairly in society, such as giving a member of that group an important or public position, but which is not meant to make changes that would help that group of people in a lasting way.” So, what precisely is political tokenism? In summary, it is the practise of making just symbolic attempts to incorporate underrepresented groups in order to provide the illusion of diversity and inclusion.
Tokenism in politics is rampant all over the world, including right here in India. A “token” representative in politics is a member of an underrepresented group, such as a woman or a minority, who is given a prominent position to allay concerns about a lack of diversity. They don’t really have much power or impact. They want you to think that they champion diversity and inclusiveness. But it’s usually just an illusion. Once the cameras are off and the votes are cast, those lonely tokens are sidelined, their voices ignored.
Political parties nominating women as candidates in constituencies where they have little chance of winning is one such example. Without actually boosting female representation, this enables the party to pretend that it supports gender diversity. In the 1983 and 1987 elections in the UK, the Labour Party nominated women in races they could not win. The total number of female MPs did not rise despite the nominations.
In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections in India, the Congress party ran actress Nagma in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, where she had little chance of winning. She was a “showpiece” meant to win over Muslim votes. In order to portray itself as an inclusive party, the BJP has also been charged with nominating ‘weak’ Muslim candidates who are doomed to failure.
Not all endeavours to diversify are tokenism. But if inclusion just extends to a small number of people, it can be taken to mean that underrepresented groups aren’t regarded or appreciated as true partners. Empowering individuals is necessary for meaningful diversity, not merely having them in the room. Tokenism alone won’t address the issue of underrepresentation. However, by acknowledging it, we can take steps to encourage genuine inclusion and make diversity more than simply an illusion.
Resentment and cynicism are fostered when minority groups are given a symbolic role but little actual power or influence. It frequently means their voice is not truly heard when a marginalised group is given a “token” representation. They could experience pressure to fit into the existing organisational culture and refrain from upsetting the apple cart by bringing up controversial topics. Real diversity results from giving people the freedom to express their distinctive experiences and viewpoints.
Tokenism doesn’t help to advance diversity in any way. The psychological effects may be harmful to those who are chosen as “tokens.” The pressure of expectations and scrutiny put on them may cause them to feel alone, suffer from impostor syndrome, and become exhausted. Being on show as a sign of variety all the time is draining and dehumanising. Stereotypes are reinforced when hiring decisions favour “tokens” who are chosen largely for their identification rather than their real abilities and quality. Outsiders could assume that the individuals were selected only to meet a quota rather than based on their qualifications for the position. Their reputation and authority are damaged by this.
Being a token might make one feel alone and disconnected since it frequently indicates that the other members of the group do not completely understand or share your unique identity and experiences. Feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and even despair may result from this isolation.
Additionally, stereotype danger is a problem that tokens frequently face. This is the anxiety that confirms unfavourable preconceptions about one’s minority group, which puts a lot of pressure on you and makes you doubt yourself. One’s performance may suffer, and their confidence may decline as a result of this increased anxiousness.
Furthermore, people in token jobs frequently experience imposter syndrome, a pervasive sense of being a phoney in their position. They frequently credit their successes to chance rather than their qualities and skills as a result of this attitude. They could battle with the recurrent notion that their position or status isn’t really theirs to have. These self-doubting thoughts frequently appear in settings where people don’t feel completely respected or welcomed. Burnout can develop over time as a result of the ongoing stress that comes with tokenism. It may be quite emotionally draining to be under continual pressure to perform at an extraordinarily high level, to feel alone, and to navigate environments that weren’t made with their needs in mind.
Tokenism is entangled in the web of power dynamics and reinforces rather than challenges the hierarchies that already exist. Underrepresentation in politics is a result of institutional impediments and ingrained prejudices. It will take painful but honest dialogues, education, and awareness campaigns, and a dedication to dismantling preconceptions and unfair practises to address issues like racism, sexism, ableism, and other types of discrimination. Tokenism maintains the current quota by highlighting a chosen few while downplaying the group struggles of marginalised populations. It turns into a mask, protecting people in power from accepting responsibility and enacting significant reforms instead of destroying systemic injustice.
A truly democratic society must have representation as its cornerstone. Authentic inclusion and meaningful participation are explored, going beyond the simple presence of diversified faces in political arenas. India must ultimately contend with the problem of representation’s validity given our diversity and vertical structures. Genuine political opportunity and space are needed by women, dispersed minorities, OBCs, and other ignored groups. In order to avoid political polarisation, proportional representation with appropriate criteria is the true solution. Beyond a certain point, tokenism endangers our democracy.
Written by – Hiya Gaywala
Edited by – Saba Godiwala
