Hi-Speed Communication & Organizations

If I were to ask you (or myself!) what common image conjures up when we speak of Ashoka (the Mauryan monarch), Alexander, Akbar (the Moghul emperor), Yuan dynasty of China, ancient Roman Empire, and the British imperial government of the 19th and 20th centuries, the answer would most likely be the military might of these. Each one held sway over vast territories, whose geographical expanse appears to be too good to believe. Looking back, these empires give an impression of time-bombs that could have exploded any moment. Anyone - either a governor, a local prince or a powerful warlord - could have risen in revolt and declared independence. But the fact is, across the world, even 2000 years ago, there existed vast empires.

What is even more interesting, and intriguing, is the fact that with no means of real-time communication, these empires were held together for a near-impossible length of time. It appears incredible that people living thousands of miles away owed allegiance to a government that existed in another time-zone and, metaphorically, in another universe. The rulers or the parliaments, seated in remote locations, had zero 'on-the-ground' information for days or weeks or even months; but, nevertheless, were able to exercise authority, and often, did command respect. This, to me, is no less a feat than some path-breaking scientific inventions and discoveries accomplished by humankind.

Certainly, it would have not been possible only through subjugation, or by forcing people into submission. Unless there is some willingness or loyalty on part of the governed, mere exercise of cavalier authority is impossible. Even a headmaster, for instance, would find it extremely difficult to control a bunch of students who have made up their minds on disobeying his orders. There is always that dark and secure corner in the school, where pranks can be played without the fear of being caught.

Instant communication, therefore, is not the most critical aspect for cultivating a sense of belonging or for holding together a human-group: the subjects in a kingdom, a set of employees in a commercial organization, a civilization as a whole, and so on. To elucidate, let me attempt this example: It is known that people are held together by something called 'heritage' or 'descent'. People of same descent believe they are a community. They identify with their long departed forefathers - much in the same manner as they do with their contemporary cousins. To add a further nuance, they reckon the same persons (or set of people - dead or alive) to be their foes - as their ancestors did. People are bound to someone or something even when they have no real-time communication. What does matter, is not communication speed, but the sentiment contained within.

And yes, when the sentiment wanes away, when the feeling of subjugation grows, the invincible empires do not last... they disintegrate or shrink.

So where is the speed of communication needed? Well, in exactly the thing that we thought was the single-common aspect of large empires: military-action like situation?

Let us look at the other end of the spectrum: A large part of technological revolution is focussed on improving the speed of information delivery. It is imperative that as we evolve further, information flow would become even quicker. It has forever been evolving: from postal systems to telegraph, from telephone to internet. Emails have already brought revolutionary changes to the way organizations function today. The CEO reaches out to the lowest placed functionary in a matter of nanoseconds when the former needs to announce a change in corporate-structure. Clients and customers download tons of files and send comments and payments almost instantaneously. The Disaster Management Team in a global organization issues real-time flood alerts to all its employees. Municipal Corporations send instant advice to citizens on special situations in the city. Does some of this sound like tense and terse military action?

In the context of our discussion, high-speed communication can help integrate - especially while multi-tasking or handling crises. But, integration is merely the first step in the long cycle of creating a lasting bond.

The real victory is in mutual enrichment, which alone leads to a lasting, fulfilling and reciprocative relationship. Unless the sense of belonging is cultivated, no institution, organization, social setup, etc., will ever work. In due course, the impact of the initial communication gets dimmed, the message is lost and what is left is ruins... pasted on notice boards, displayed in picture frames and buried in rotting shelves of libraries.

The viceroys of the British Empire sent detailed telegrams to the government back home - highlighting critical developments in the colonies and seeking advice. The quickest possible information exchange of those times. It gave the official system a serious advantage. But the empire was not held by or because of something as small or tactical as telegrams. It was held in place by some very potent legislation, policy making and well-oiled administrative machinery. And when the same things became discordant, the empire dwindled.

But, that is something for the learned historians to explain - I lay no claim to being one.