Representativity of local parts of the population is one of the major tenets of liberal democracy. Unfortunatly the faith in democracy is declining, despite the fact, that those who live in democracies rarely want to live elsewhere. Even more in this year 2022 many dictatorships in Europe and Asia demonstrated every days its worst side. Therefore we must remember some principles of government and rethink unfounded scepticism.
Challenges of modern democracy
„That’s what’s at stake here: we have to proove that democracy works.“ United States‘ president Joseph R. Biden Jr. 25th. March 2021.
The rule of one is dangerous and can lead to arbitraty policies. The rule of a few creates tension with the majority. So the universality of citizens should be included into the fabrication of laws to regulate the social structures. Even though, the voters should reflect if they want to be ruled by idiots or experts in their fields. No one wants a pilot without competence, but often leaders get elected without competence. Often idiotic rulers ruined their countries and if the election of idiots multiplies, some can doubt that democracy works, so voters have also the pressure to be responsable and to believe in the system they act.
Civic movements and participatory actions
The beauty of democracy is that every one can help to make the world a better place. I would illustrate for this the exemple of Fridays for Future and their achievements. (…) Possibilities are the quintessence of freedom and freedom should enable the highter good for a society of a nation. According to St. Augustine a nation is basically a community who strives to the highter good.
Organic democracy as a way to kleptocracy ?
The limited power of the people in the Roman Republic, the Carthaginian Commonwealth or the Russian Federation enabled a small group of oligarchs to expand their power and wealth in a immoral way. To veto or to limit the errors of a sector of the poeple or a sector of government does not ligitimise expanding power. Even though, a worldwide kleptocracy of few rich persons is even more possible to emerge due to the huge power some millionairs and billionairs have. Lakshmi Mittal is more powerful than any minister and every ordinary citizen could realise that the CEO of ArcelorMittal dictates the laws to the lawmakers.
Dilemma between leadership virtues and technical knowledge
Should a government with members having sufficient virtues: is it not asked too much? Consultation with the experts are more and more needed, but right-wing and populist governments only want to hear what they want. Therefore, we need more than some charismatic „woman/man of the people“. We need at least these kinds of experts in a governmental council of ministers: a general for national defence, a police officer for the ordinary security apparatus, an laureate economist for finance and economy, a chief doctor in medicine for the health system, a social worker, a jurist and a high school professor for national education and scientific research.
Julien Sita, October, 10th 2022.
Violence as integral part of political culture ?
Populism and polarisation brought with them the dangers of political instability. Around the world autocracies and democracies became more violent when it comes to win elections. Political corruption brought psychoparth to power. Wolfs became leaders of sheeps. Preserving and inforcing (dictatorial) power became the new agenda or rulers. Many frustrated or irritated by economic circumstances and social changes have shifted to radical ideas and venerate self-proclaimed leaders without scouples. Civility, cooperation and consensus are cornerstones of democracy, but emotionally triggered masses who does not want to aknowledge this will harm freedom and rule of law. Charismatic, but arrogant, populistic leaders want power for themselves, while the very important issues like health care, redistribution of wealth, security on the streets, preserving the environment etc. are often ignored in favor of symbolic gestures. Therefore nothing goes further in politics nowadays, unless so many people as possible engage politically in order to make or change laws and not those good-for-nothing who are too lazy to make important laws.
Julien Sita, November, 3rd 2022.