In defence of democracy

An informed global glance at the evidence is glaring. Democracy if not protected can easily fall prey to forces of capitalism and globalisation.

The descent of ancient democracies would serve as good examples to us to be ever vigilant to these threats. History can also teach us about the consequences of a society becoming complacent and abandoning core values of truth, fairness, social justice and equity.

Aristotle warned us that inequality can bring instability to a society.

Plato also insisted that demagogues will easily exploit free speech to install themselves as tyrants. We must be ever mindful about the potential for the usurpation of power by single individuals or groups or the circumvention of law by rulers for their own benefit. Societal complacency and collective ignorance led to the collapse of democracies in Europe and the rise of rightwing authoritarianism and fascism in the 1920’s and 1930’s with dire global consequences.

The European history of the twentieth century reminds us of the fragility of democratic societies, where ethics can collapse and truth can become a stranger. Both fascism and communism were responses to globalisation, with real and perceived inequalities being the order of the day. When democratic institutions allow inequity and inequality to flourish, helplessness germinates in the minds of the masses. This creates fertile ground for false leaders and would be tyrants to exploit doubting souls, pedalling untruths and rejecting reason with false promises.

This is the stage for our new global order. Democratic institutions are under constant threats - judiciary, media and trade unions being the main targets. Threats to their independence or strength are direct threats to our democratic way of life. We witness the constant attacks on the legitimacy and role of trade unions on a daily basis. Unions and their leaders are often portrayed as irrelevant and hindrances to productivity. Employers go to extremes to ensure that unions do not exist at their work places, and if they do, they are often ignored and side-lined in the consultative process.

This view is often supported by an unsuspecting public who enjoy many rights due to the work of unions. Such is the capacity of capitalists to camouflage truth into a concoction of doubt and misinformation.

When this grab for power by a small minority in society becomes obvious, society is well advised to wake up and take stock. Worker rights continue to be undermined and exploitation has become the order of the day.

Unfortunately, too many persons don’t even know when their rights are being violated or they are being obscenely exploited.

This is where our school system continues to fail us. Our young minds are not sufficiently enlightened about the fundamental principles of democracy - what it means to live in a truly democratic society, or how democratic forms of governance evolved in our country. The lack of appreciation of these principles by would-be workers leads many to scorn trade unions to their singular detriment and the ultimate detriment of the society. Instead they are nurtured on a diet of greed and selfishness – the guiding principles of capitalists.

The subversion is subtle, calculated and long-term, with devastating consequences.

Schools must act quickly to fill this void. Children must know their roles as individuals in a democratic society - its preservation and sustenance and how easy it is to take one’s freedoms and rights for granted. They must understand the importance of a free and robust press, not confusing it with the mirage that is social media.