On Democracy: Choices we have to make
By Asim • Jun 4th, 2008 • Category: Politics, Worth A Second Look • 10 Comments •Who said politics is a noble profession. I don’t think it was mentioned for us as a nation or as a society as it clearly dictates in our attitudes and behavior that we are not politically matured and secondly no notion of integrity and honesty in what we do and how we do it. Every day I hear meaningless conversation by our politicians, far removed from the plight of a common man’s problem and lack of any skills which can enable them to understand its perception.
Our Prime Ministers, current and former, our ministers from the previous and current governments, our retired army generals who have become the analysts, our media, everyone wanting to present and paint the picture but there is a serious problem. The words they say somehow or no longer can motivate and inspire this nation from the depth of its problems. All those issues surrounding judiciary, of electricity and water, of hunger and poverty have taken Pakistan into despair and anger.
For every opportunity that arises to discuss this but we do not notice as we rather waste our time on debates and dialogues on our personal differences instead of removing confusion and guiding and inspiring this nation to do something with their lives..
We all have our opinions on the beauty of democracy and how we perceive this notion in reality. However, our politicians fail to persuade or understand themselves that they too will have to go through this painful experience and monster of a task to have some structure in place which can facilitate that process whereby common man’s view will be heard and acted upon. If we don’t have that structure in place then I am afraid we can carry on debating pros n cons endlessly but we won’t be able to achieve anything as all the underlying functions will not be there to present an opinion and then to take that opinion and turn into something beautiful which we call democracy. Let me also add that to get to this level of democracy, western world spent almost 500 years through wars n conspiracies to arrive at its current form which we all call democracy. Even still it’s not perfect but enough for us to believe as it safeguards something. We in Pakistan have that gap to fill as we go through its evolutionary stages. In last century alone Europe lost almost 100 million people to arrive at this concept that wars don’t solve much and all the added problems.
Now let me bring an example of this beautiful democracy in its practice. These current wars in Iraq n Afghanistan. People did not want these wars but their governments did and proceeded with it. London alone saw one of the biggest antiwar demonstrations from people from all walks of life but did their voices and views ever taken into consideration by the government here. The answer is no. So what happened, I guess that beautiful democracy was asleep that day or have been asleep for last couple of years.
We need to sort out these self created differences. To provide that structure and forum n unity based on principles with logic and wisdom to bring all together our politicians must work hard, prepare themselves, research and then deliver. Whether it’s a policy which needs to be implemented or infrastructure projects, they must be prepared to work and understand what it will bring. China created the biggest dam in the world, Yangzee and for this to happen they had to create accommodation, build cities for its displaced citizens, and completed the project in time…This project was to cope with their growing requirements and challenges posed by their energy needs. What we have is that we are good at initiating projects but never get to finish it as all this becomes a political problem for our politicians. I hear them say “well we cannot get a consensus between the four provinces on kalabagh dam”.Well, my friends; this is your job to get that consensus as the chosen and elected representatives.
I will finish it off with an example. If I m thirsty, what will I need to make sure that my thirst is fulfilled. I will obviously require water and a glass.
Democracy is a thirst my friends, and for us to get there we need to have those ingredients in place in a similar way as you will need glass and water. That glass n water is a structure n building a team. Once that done, u can have all what your heart desires as a nation in terms of progression and prosperity.
But it is our political and moral corruption, our weaknesses in our veins that we have become so corrupt in our ways that it is beyond comprehension.
It is time to decide what we need to do? Do we need to follow paths of progression and towards civilized and just society or to carry on making a mockery of ourselves as a nation?
Democracy is good if we accept all its stages and if we know what it will take us to be there, otherwise it will remain a concept, a concept talked about on media channels, in our drawing room conversations, on roads, in buses, wherever we find ourselves in all those places…It’s about time to eradicate this pain and misery of nation rather than working around it.
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Asim
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Asim, you have raised and criticised lots of valid points and reasons for our failure so far. I sincerely apprecaite your diagnosis and recommendations. In my opinion, what is an absolute must for any systm of government, including democracy, to succeed is a total commitment by all the public servants (elected and unelected) to PUBLIC SERVICE. Lack of this commitment is the main obstacle.
One more point. You mentioned that it took the Western democracies 500 years to reach where it is now. Agree with, however, must we “reinvent the wheel” ? Is it not true that smart people learn from the mistakes of others? Must we make the same mistakes and must we also pay such heavey price for our aspirations to be realized?
Hey Aftab,
I completely agree that there is no need for us to ” reinvent the wheel”.It was only there to highlight from its historical perspective…Yes we must learn from the past and history, if we are smart people…I completely agree.
Thanks for your comments
Asim, it’s a great pleasure to be allowed an insight in a thinking mind like yours. It enriches my person greatly and enlightens my own thoughts profoundly and, it goes without saying, I am grateful to you for sharing your thoughts here.
Blessings.
Hi Asim,
an insightful voice of anguish of a poet. But then as a poet you have IMAGINED GOOD to be everywhere. Show me one honest,good politician in the whole world?Bush,Blair,sikorosky,Putin,Advani,Sonia,Kahleda zia, fukuda etc etc.
What is great about Democracy is , you can throw shit at them without fear. Change them to another band of looters. But this right to CHANGE is a gift you donot get in dictatorship like in Burma,China,Saudiarabia etc etcor even in pakistan some months back wherein you cannot change rulers. These countries may look efficient but you ask the people, they will prefer democracy to efficiency.
An article which is out of routine. Great thoughts.
Thanks Imran,Johann and Aftab
Its really very nice article to read. Nice and good efforts. Keep it up.
Why Democracy is or Isn’t the Best Method for Every Country
By Can Tran,
Can each country have a democracy? That’s a pandora’s box right there.
Democracy is freedom of choice. But the term “freedom” is very vague yet can be very broad at the same time. It is possible to implement democracy in every country. Keep in mind one country’s version of democracy will differ from another country’s version of democracy. For example American democracy isn’t going to work on most countries. I remember in my Spanish class back in 2002-2003, there was this one man who’s a grandfather who happened to be a former United States Naval Officer that had fought in the Vietnam War.
At the same time, the man is politically active. He explained to us that it’s possible to implement democracy to other countries. In order to do so, you have to take in consideration and factor in their traditions and customs. Customs and traditions will differ from one country to another. Such as one state to another in the USA. You can impose one brand of democracy on another country. If you do that, you’re going to violate a bunch of customs and traditions. In response, the people are going to rebel.
My US history professor also added this, in order to have democracy, you have to educate people. Doesn’t necessarily mean you need schools and colleges. Basically use whatever feasible means to populate the people on democracy. The United States was lacking among those two important aspects in bringing “democracy” to Afghanistan and Iraq. The rise of civil war, strife, and insurgency isn’t helping much either. Because of the failure of considering customs and the need to educate, look at what’s going on in Iraq.
Whenever you bring “democracy”, you have to educate people. If you don’t, the “democracy” is going to fall apart. But that’s just the first stepping stone in order to secure democracy. Remember that rulers and politicians are people like you and I. We’re all fallible in one way or another. That includes being fallible to corruption and bribery.
Saleem, many thanks for all your support and kind words, But it is that task of organising ourselves as a cohesive force in Pakistan to shape the way we think, the way we act…
Dear Saleem,
I donot agree with you. It is actually a ploy by westerners that as they are educated, they are fit for DEMOCRACY and we south asians are not being illiterate.
You are having democracy today not due to soem lawyers agitation but because of the common UNEDUCATED PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN braved everything including jedhadi bullets and ruling mafia and voted.
Normally in India also this so called educated make all noices as they command the media/press and power brokers but will not stand in line braving sun and rain and vote because they know they can control those who are elected. But then in India democracy is shining because of these UNEDUCATED ILLITERATES AND IT WILL SHINE IN PAKISTAN BECAUSE OF THEM.
I am posing a hypothetical question, even today why Musharaff is not removed why? Because he has solid backing of Army. He can very easily reimpose the martial law and no lawyer or educated will venture out AND FIGHT THE ARMY. But it is the might of uneducated WHICH HE FEARS and not the educated.