A couple of days ago, I was reading the editorial page of the news daily Dainik Bhaskar which shared an article from The Economist on how democracies are vanishing from the face of the earth. I was able to draw an analogy from it.
The article outlined the various steps inclusive to the demolition of democracy in various nations. These steps were:
1. Genuine complaints liberals have against ‘realists’ who are in power
Here, I would like to share an example quoted in that article. It states that 200,000 Turks were jailed or exiled ‘for political reasons’. Furthermore, if Erdogan wins the election that was held on Sunday, from the power granted by the amendment of the Constitution, he will be able to send his trustees to the courts.
2. Search for an enemy to blame
Duterte won the election by saying that he would wipe-out the drug mafia. He went on to kill more than 12,000 people, unlawfully.
This after he had come to power after securing nearly 80% of the votes. On May 11, 2018, Duterte wrongfully used the martial law and forced the chief justice to resign.
3. Coming in power by creating fear and dissatisfaction
Thereafter, powerful politicians end the functioning independent media outlets and agencies that safeguard democracy.
4. Lastly, ‘democracy’ is reduced only to a tag
A fair election becomes nothing more than mockery.
Opposition leaders are jailed.
People residing in regions where the elections are to be held are manipulated.
In the end, the Constitution is altered, and law and order are left feckless.
From this, we can pick the following points that are an indication of a falling democracy: having to search for an Opposition, coming in power and implanting fear in the masses, dismantling agencies which safeguard democracy – and in the end, democracy exists only as a word.
Whether it be the NDA or the UPA that’s in power, both keep on playing the political blame-game. For years, they have only blamed the Opposition for creating hindrances in their development plans and as an excuse for their failure to fulfill the promises they made.
Secondly, once a party comes to power, it starts to sow fear in the hearts and minds of the masses. An example of this can be seen when ‘radical people’ keep on bleating that a particular section of society is in danger. This fear-mongering is done mainly to shield the ugly truths and facts (that a government hides) from the eyes of the common people. For instance, the denial of investigation into Judge Loya’s death is one such example. This was also one of the reasons due to which judges from the Supreme Court of India held a press conference. But all went in vain.
They also dismantle the independent journalism structure – the 24-hour-ban on NDTV and death threats to Ravish Kumar being some of the clear-cut examples.
And what can be said about the act of arresting a teen from Uttar Pradesh for the so-called crime of commenting on a Facebook post related to chief minister Yogi Adityanath?
Lastly, when democracy remains nothing more than a word, we can see how people are manipulated, either through bribes or threats, as is the tradition. Many popular politicians are even jailed just before the elections.
I don’t know much about politics, but I only have one question, is our democracy really in danger”?