Do we pull ourselves down?

[Puneet Singh <psingh@scdt.intel.com>]

Group,

One commonly observed "phenomenon" in Indian politics (global to some
extent too) is the fact how the opposition plays the role of trying 
every trick in the bag to pull the current government down. Infact it
does a lot more than that: it opposes everything the current govt tries
to do. It generates a skepticism, a negative energy against every decision
taken, through "reasonable" questions, scandals, court proceedings etc.
And that role is the same whether congress, BJP, UF, republicans are in charge. 

Even if government tries to do good, opposition would even consider that
as a loss for them e.g if BJP's policies help improve the economy
congress would be out of business and hence it will try & oppose such policies!

How does one establish a system where such flaws do not come in?

What is the role of opposition? Can we hold the opposition accountable too?
After all, we want them there to keep a check on the government, but we
aslo want them to be doing this in a manner that is ultimately good
for the people and not the representatives and their next ballot box
performance.

I am proposing a set of rules and guidelines that the opposition has to
stick by too. A measure that will evaluate their performance during the next
polls, not just the current governments failure. An anti establishment
vote often throws back and forth the same bunch of people.

An index of performance measured truly in perpective of the conditions would
be a great way to keep track of governments. A  kind of a score card that
will help people make their choices in a democratic setup.

Any ideas?

Puneet