Monday, March 07, 2005
Iraqis (And Others): Learn From the Philippines!
There is a storm moving around the globe and like the Bob Dylan song of the 1960’s; you don’t need to be a weatherman to know which way the wind is blowing.
The change of a nation’s government structure and social/political system to a participatory democracy is never orderly, rarely graceful, and often burdened with bloodshed and chaos. Because forming a democracy entails the transfer of the power of control from the few to the many, the ‘few’ vigorously resist relinquishing that which they believe has become theirs by right and habit. Strangely enough to some of the world’s current crop of dictators, monarchs, and “presidents for life”, the people seem to think that democracy is worth all the trouble and struggle, which must make democracy a very tempting and important concept.
George W. Bush is probably right about the fire of freedom and self-determination residing within all people. However, the chasm is very wide between desire and the actions necessary to fulfill that desire of democratic liberty. Interestingly, the rulers like Egypt’s Mubarak, Zimbabwe’s Mugabe, and the House of Saud understand that once that flame is kindled, it is difficult to quench. Unless a leader is willing to use all means available, like Saddam’s torture chambers, rape rooms, and mass graves, the most practical solution for holding power is to delay the democratization process by giving the people a few political bones to chew on. Mugabe promises to redistribute the land stolen from the white colonizers. Saudi Arabia allows local elections and talks about the vote for women sometime in the future. Mubarak thinks it might be a good idea to have an opposition candidate for president in the next election, if he decides to let any of them out of prison.
However, the people are never satisfied with just the bare essentials of political freedom. For some reason, they seem to want all the benefits of democracy as evidenced by recent events in the Ukraine and Lebanon, where that Filipino notion of “People Power” reared its head and teeth. Twentieth century “People Power” was born almost simultaneously in the Philippines and in Poland. However, the Filipinos were more ambitious; they intended to restore democracy and take over a government, not simply the workplace. Perhaps then, it is beneficial for those with newfound democracy, those trying to preserve their hard won democracy, and those looking to move towards democracy, to learn these lessons from the Philippine’s experience of twenty years of democracy’s freedom.
It is probably wise for those living with democracy for the first time, or the first time in a long while, to forget all that nonsense that you are hearing from the ‘experts’ about democracy being “a process”. Democracy is no more of a process than becoming a parent. Yesterday you did not have a child to care for; today you do. The change is virtually instantaneous and can be irreversible. These pundits would like you to believe that when you walk into the voting booth, that is the conception of democracy. Not true; that is the birth. The conception usually takes place with just a few people behind closed doors, sometimes in deep secret. The “process” of democracy is the caring and feeding just like with a child. If you do not nurture democracy properly, it will die.
Be careful also not to be too caught up in the exuberance you hear about the advantages of democracy from leaders like George Bush. He is correct in principle but not in practice about democracy being the epitome of social equality and wealth creation. Democracy does not provide a magic bullet against all the evils that trouble a society. It is not a medicine, providing a remedy for all the ills that will beset a nation. Think of democracy as more of a vaccine that can help protect a country from dangerous forces, people, and ideas. Justice and prosperity are still your responsibility to develop. A strong democracy can make it easier.
A legitimate and energetic free press and media are crucial to maintaining a democracy. Guard them well with vigor and intensity. In order for the benefit of democracy to thrive, it needs sunlight and a transparent environment that only the freedom of expression can supply. Error on the side of openness; never on the side of repression. Even repugnant and irrational ideas must be allowed to spread through a free press because in time they will disappear on their own, disposed of on the garbage heap of foolishness. Suppressing free speech often gives credibility to thoughts that have no reason for being taken seriously. Distrust and rebuke every politician who tells you limiting discourse is in your best interest. That person is a clear and immediate threat to your democracy.
Finally, be tolerant with your politicians and leaders. Most have no experience having to share power with you as a stakeholder in a democracy. Many of them lost privilege as you gained power. However, never ever give them the benefit of the doubt. That could be fatal for your country. Give them instead much of your collective patience. Eventually, they may learn how the new system works and be productive. And of course, eventually they will die off. Your democracy and freedom will not.
The change of a nation’s government structure and social/political system to a participatory democracy is never orderly, rarely graceful, and often burdened with bloodshed and chaos. Because forming a democracy entails the transfer of the power of control from the few to the many, the ‘few’ vigorously resist relinquishing that which they believe has become theirs by right and habit. Strangely enough to some of the world’s current crop of dictators, monarchs, and “presidents for life”, the people seem to think that democracy is worth all the trouble and struggle, which must make democracy a very tempting and important concept.
George W. Bush is probably right about the fire of freedom and self-determination residing within all people. However, the chasm is very wide between desire and the actions necessary to fulfill that desire of democratic liberty. Interestingly, the rulers like Egypt’s Mubarak, Zimbabwe’s Mugabe, and the House of Saud understand that once that flame is kindled, it is difficult to quench. Unless a leader is willing to use all means available, like Saddam’s torture chambers, rape rooms, and mass graves, the most practical solution for holding power is to delay the democratization process by giving the people a few political bones to chew on. Mugabe promises to redistribute the land stolen from the white colonizers. Saudi Arabia allows local elections and talks about the vote for women sometime in the future. Mubarak thinks it might be a good idea to have an opposition candidate for president in the next election, if he decides to let any of them out of prison.
However, the people are never satisfied with just the bare essentials of political freedom. For some reason, they seem to want all the benefits of democracy as evidenced by recent events in the Ukraine and Lebanon, where that Filipino notion of “People Power” reared its head and teeth. Twentieth century “People Power” was born almost simultaneously in the Philippines and in Poland. However, the Filipinos were more ambitious; they intended to restore democracy and take over a government, not simply the workplace. Perhaps then, it is beneficial for those with newfound democracy, those trying to preserve their hard won democracy, and those looking to move towards democracy, to learn these lessons from the Philippine’s experience of twenty years of democracy’s freedom.
It is probably wise for those living with democracy for the first time, or the first time in a long while, to forget all that nonsense that you are hearing from the ‘experts’ about democracy being “a process”. Democracy is no more of a process than becoming a parent. Yesterday you did not have a child to care for; today you do. The change is virtually instantaneous and can be irreversible. These pundits would like you to believe that when you walk into the voting booth, that is the conception of democracy. Not true; that is the birth. The conception usually takes place with just a few people behind closed doors, sometimes in deep secret. The “process” of democracy is the caring and feeding just like with a child. If you do not nurture democracy properly, it will die.
Be careful also not to be too caught up in the exuberance you hear about the advantages of democracy from leaders like George Bush. He is correct in principle but not in practice about democracy being the epitome of social equality and wealth creation. Democracy does not provide a magic bullet against all the evils that trouble a society. It is not a medicine, providing a remedy for all the ills that will beset a nation. Think of democracy as more of a vaccine that can help protect a country from dangerous forces, people, and ideas. Justice and prosperity are still your responsibility to develop. A strong democracy can make it easier.
A legitimate and energetic free press and media are crucial to maintaining a democracy. Guard them well with vigor and intensity. In order for the benefit of democracy to thrive, it needs sunlight and a transparent environment that only the freedom of expression can supply. Error on the side of openness; never on the side of repression. Even repugnant and irrational ideas must be allowed to spread through a free press because in time they will disappear on their own, disposed of on the garbage heap of foolishness. Suppressing free speech often gives credibility to thoughts that have no reason for being taken seriously. Distrust and rebuke every politician who tells you limiting discourse is in your best interest. That person is a clear and immediate threat to your democracy.
Finally, be tolerant with your politicians and leaders. Most have no experience having to share power with you as a stakeholder in a democracy. Many of them lost privilege as you gained power. However, never ever give them the benefit of the doubt. That could be fatal for your country. Give them instead much of your collective patience. Eventually, they may learn how the new system works and be productive. And of course, eventually they will die off. Your democracy and freedom will not.
// posted by john mangun @ Monday, March 07, 2005 
