Structures – beyond what we See

By Chani Imbulgoda

Roy Bhaskar, Critical Realist, says there are multiple realities in every phenomenon in the world. What is seen as real by one may not be so for another. The one who does not understand the reality would suppress the reality seen by the other. He will be partially blind to the truth. It is important to clear our vision to understand the reality of this world, which is often blurred with numerous structures that frame us in almost all of our thoughts and actions.

I have been a party to setting up structures as well as witnessing structures built by others during my life span. I always cast doubts on what is identified as reality in structures… I see the illusionary effects of structures; I see myself as responsible for creating such illusions.

What are these structures we talk about? A common definition of structure given in Wikipedia is that “a structure is an arrangement and organisation of interrelated elements in a material object or system, or the object or system so organized”. They are frameworks that represent formalizations. A skeleton filled with flesh, blood, bones, nerves, etc., is called a human. But there are skeletons filled with plaster of paris to look like human bodies. The human skeleton is the structure of the human body; it functions, according to what is fed. So does any other structure.

There are many forms of structures, such as committees, task forces, buildings, artefacts, etc., that conveys messages, guide us and frame us. We become a part of institutional structures; we, by birth, are part of social structures that frame our minds. The list would continue, from marriage to the funeral. Do all these structures add value or do some of them just play a role of illusion? Aren’t some of us breaking the rules of the structures, be it a marriage or a committee set up for noble purpose? Don’t we break rules and laws of social structures and have a façade to cover them? Don’t some of us use structures to deceive others? Structures are essential; penetrating through structures is a necessity.

A reform, a rebellion or a revolt starts with structures. Structure defines the nature of the institution that emerges thereby. Take a social structure like Gota Go Gama (GGG), which has many structures within. The Gota Go Gama itself is a social structure initiated by like-minded youth who reject the governors, governance and the government. This social structure attracted a large number of supporters, such as professionals, academics, lawyers, and artists within a very short time. Within the main structure of GGG, there are other structures, like a legal advisory office, library, phone charging booth, washrooms, food stall and tents occupied by its residents. These structures are created to establish GGG as a formal, legitimate social institution.

One of my learned friends who visited GGG in its early days talked very highly about the structure of GGG. He said it was a wonderful place full of disciplined youngsters; he was highly impressed by the structure presented in Gota Go Gama. A few weeks later, I visited GGG. I saw all the structures well set up and appealing. Legal Advisory Unit with two-three people running it, but no one seeking legal advice. The library with four or five aged males and females, chatting.

The food stall was the only place functioning at its full capacity with a long queue. One who occupied a centre of GGG said all those who joined the queue for food are not a part of the GGG rebellion. Some came to pick food to sell out.

GGG stands against corruption, and hypocrisy. I wonder whether deception and corruption have crept into this place itself. Some satisfy their basic needs like food and shelter from GGG; will there be a society full of idling labour, I fear. These days I hear more structures like salons are being set up at GGG. GGG and other structures set up within it deliver a strong message that we rebel for a better, disciplined, clean country. Nevertheless, I fear that free-riders would creep in and enjoy some benefits, diluting the noble claims demanded at “Aragalaya” (Rebellion).

GGG came up with much energy, vigour and abundant blessings. Many structures were created to support the cause. We wonder if those structures were only symbolic. We could not hear practical tactical discourses coming out from leading figures of GGG on TV. A few weeks ago, in one of the TV programmes, no single GGG representative was able to explain well or convince us what the Aragalaya was about and its aim. This shows the failure of the education centres to serve the purpose they were set up for. Otherwise, these figureheads could have been able to respond to questions related to matters of concern to the general public. They are expected to create a decent country through the rebellion. If the general public had an adequate awareness of GGG and its cause, what happened on 09 May and thereafter would not have happened.

Let me now turn from GGG to another area. A few days ago, while I was discussing the need to raise the quality of higher education, a university professor mentioned that universities were immersed in structures now; there were many committees and committee meetings, and positions created to represent quality. But whether the quality was assured with structures was in doubt. Continuing, he said that, 30 years back, universities had not been much formalised with structures, but the graduates had been competent and lecturers, blessed with knowledge, had been disseminating it vigorously. However, a different view came from another academic; praising the structures, he said that the structures formalised the education and people could not shirk their responsibilities.

Structures are important for the stability and sustainability of entities. But, structures become what we feed them on. Some structures are created to play the fame game. A university with many committees, centres, and key positions is considered versatile and outreaching its talents. They accumulate fame and as a result attract students and funders, but the reality can be different. The dissemination of knowledge and the contribution to research would be low, as their academics are distracted by the glamour of the structures. The structures, if not maintained properly and continuously, would dilute their purpose. We see that happen in many entities including Parliament.

What is the use of the structure with a beautiful façade, if it is hollow? Structures add glamour to entities. People get busy setting up structures. We see organisations set up many committees to solve problems, one after the other but more often than not the issues remain unresolved. We appreciate the cover and forget the content.

We need changes, and structures are necessary for that purpose. But, we have to be mindful of the virtues of the actors who run structures and their integrity. Structures would cause more harm than good as they can deceive us by appearance. It is time we saw through these structures.

(The writer is a holder of a senior position in a state University with international experience and exposure and an MBA from the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM), Sri Lanka and currently reading for her PhD in Quality Assurance in Higher Education Sector at PIM. She can be reached at cv5imbulgoda@gmail.com)