Straight Line
Lessons under strain
PERHAPS only the incorrigible skeptics will not agree that the deficiencies in our democracy should be made up by more doses of democracy. They would disparagingly point to the modus operandi of our politicians, that allegedly took populism beyond sensible parameters while failing to come to terms with ground realities.
Such critics would like to stress that on account of the failure of the politicians, undemocratic arrangements interposed between the nation and the polity as a great historical aberration. They, however, agree that Bangladeshis need to be relieved of this pathetic recurrent reality.
The question is what lessons have we learnt from our present predicament? Many leaders, unfortunately, will not admit that they are substantially responsible for derailing the democratic process, howsoever serious they may appear now about the virtues of democracy.
The general population appreciates that our sense of right and wrong in all aspects of national life had nearly vanished, and the ascendancy of self-seeking and greedy individuals in the corridors of power was almost unstoppable.
The irony is that it takes a less than elected ruling dispensation to tell us that the class divide in our society was complete. It is, thus, becoming clear that on one side were those who were in a position to exploit the resources of the country to their heart's desire, and on the other were the teeming millions who were powerless, and were left to fend for them.
A lesson learnt is that we as a nation have been sitting on a dangerous fault-line: a disconnect between the government and the society. There was a wide and growing gulf between the rulers and the people. The government with all its power, mandate and huge resources had very little clue about the ground situation: how people think, how they live, how they perceive things, what are their needs, what are their priorities. People, on the other hand, started losing faith in the government.
Another lesson learnt is that the coercive arm of the state has been used and misused by the ruling coterie. Thus, the near breakdown of civic services and ineffective maintenance of law and order were a painful reality. It appeared that protecting the status quo from all challenges was the prime activity of the state, and the deplorable scenario was one of state machinery being put to unabashed use for keeping rival political claimants to power in check. All these happened while violence in various forms and shades took firm root and continued to traumatise the people.
There is no doubt that history will apportion the blame and the responsibility among a wide spectrum of the elected representatives who betrayed their trust. But it is also true that our electorate love and almost worship their leaders, and when the spell is broken they unfailingly transfer their allegiance elsewhere. The question is, where is the alternative?
Some would say that the first task is to have leadership at all levels -- from the highest executive to the Union Parishad. Such leadership would be the exact opposite of the concentration of all power and decision making authority in one individual. The expectation is that such leaders will unleash the full power of the organisation and release the potential and energy in the rank and file by means of personal impact.
The need of the hour is to display great concern for public good, and not to let cynicism corrupt us. This can be achieved by encouraging the private initiative of the citizenry, that would go a long way towards counteracting the deficits of the government.
Such desire should not be oblivious of the reality that for quite some time the public sector would continue to play a dominant role in all aspects of our socio-economic existence. A lesson learnt in this regard would be to promptly act upon the recommendations of the commission on local government and the regulatory reforms.
A crucial lesson learnt is perhaps the supreme necessity to build institutions because it is foolish to expect to be free while remaining ignorant. We forget that when a republic is born, it is the leaders who produce the institutions, and later such institutions produce leaders. We need nation-building institutions that will produce the leaders of tomorrow. One would fondly expect that institutions of excellence will create leaders who would not be poisoned by collective bad faith and polluted by individual avarice.
A point to remember would be the realisation that the staying power of our democracy depends upon the strength of our political institutions and the severity of economic crisis. However, we will not collapse due to economic failure if our political institutions acquire durability through experience and tradition. Economic stagnancy coupled with fragile institutions and a pliant constitution is the danger.
While deliberating on the subject of institutional vitality, a lesson is that we must have the courage to defend our judges against political pressures and threats. At the same time, we must insist upon integrity and impartiality in judicial appointments, and not permit the political executive to enunciate and apply the astounding principle that it is at liberty to supersede judges of caliber and appoint persons who subscribe to the views of the ruling party.
Similarly, ignorance, incompetence and dishonesty must be treated as disqualifications for high public offices, either in ministerial ranks or elsewhere. We cannot have democracy without meritocracy.
We have to do away with the pernicious divisiveness and polarisation on political lines, and stop displaying the tribal temper in political discussions. This temper is pressing a partisan advantage to its bitter end, thus failing to understand and respect the other side. The appreciation of unity between all citizens is lost.
Our democracy has to depend upon the habits of consent and compromise, which are attributes of mature political societies. Lawful government by the majority under the rule of abiding law, and freedom of opposition and dissent demand unusually heavy responsibility. Where the spirit of moderation does not prevail, society degenerates into divisions and hatred replaces goodwill.
No wonder, the genteel voice of Mr. S.A.M.S. Kibria was put to a pathetic end by the intemperate rogue elements of our political culture.
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