Democracy is often blamed on corrupt politicians, weak institutions, or failing governments. Yet democracy can also weaken because of ordinary citizens. The very people who are meant to protect democracy sometimes become the reason for its decline. In this blog, I discuss two ways how people weaken of democracy.
Do we all have the capacity to choose the right one?
The greatest strength of democracy may also be its greatest weakness. The right to vote is one of the fundamental rights of citizens in a democratic nation. With the right comes the duty. While we proudly exercise our right, have we exercised it wisely and chosen the right ones? More than that, the fundamental question is, do all citizens have the capacity to decide what is right, what is wrong and who is the better candidate? Plato in the Republic asked this same question through Ship of State analogy. What happens to the state if the citizens (shipowner) are unable to choose the competent leader (navigator)? A fundamental flaw in democracy. Voters may be influenced by charisma, slogans, identity-politics and short-term promises and fail to recognize the competent ones. The strength that shines democratic system is dulled by its own strength. I am not against democracy, nor am I arguing to restrict the rights of citizens to vote. I am merely pointing out the inevitable role of citizens to strengthen democracy. A ballot’s true power is revealed only when exercised by informed citizens. If we fail in our duty, the state is doomed to fail if steered by sailor who fake themselves as true navigator.
Cult of Veneration
The GenZ movement in September dismantled the political order that many had spent years tolerating in silence. After the movement, new faces have taken up the seats at the Singhadurbar and the parliament, raising hopes for Nepalese. With that all the public attention seems to have shifted from the old political establishment to honourable Prime Minister Balen Shah and Member of Parliament Harka Sampang. Though the GenZ revolution overturned the old political establishment, one disease of Nepalese society, the Jholey culture, seems to have survived. Jholeys are the blind loyalists. The supporters of these gentlemen are putting up every effort to glorify their leader while ridiculing others. What an irony! Some months ago, these people were the ones criticizing the supporters of Oli as “Jholey”. Now they appear to have adopted the same behaviour they once condemned. The culture of uncritical political fandom has stubbornly remained intact. I will present two examples to support my case.
Robert Michels called this behaviour “cult of veneration” in his book Political Parties. It describes the tendency of ordinary people or the masses’ devotional attitude towards their leaders because the masses believe that leaders possess superhuman qualities. Such behaviour contributes to erosion of democratic values and norms when leaders are placed beyond criticism. Democracy thrives only when individuals at power are questioned and held accountable. Democratic citizenship requires more than loyalty towards leaders. It demands critical engagement with the ideas and actions of our leaders.
GenZ revolution demanded accountability and transparency. Yet, much of that spirit appears to have faded in less than a year. Jholey disease have plagued our society once again. Only the gods have been replaced. We blame the government, the political parties, and the media for the weakening of democratic values, norms and institutions. Now we citizens must introspect if must question ourselves if we are one cause for this problem too. GenZ revolution demanded accountability and transparency. The same spirit - to question and even hold leaders accountable is required to keep our democracy thriving and develop the nation. For me, the answer is definitely yes. It is time to change our behavior and prevent repetition of bitter history.