The realities behind Democracy in Somaliland
Democratization Pillar Documentary (2014) Somali Version The Academy for Peace and Development (APD) Hargeisa, Somaliland http://www.apd-somaliland/org.
By: The Academy for Peace and Development
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The realities behind Democracy in Somaliland - Video
Mauritius has stood as a bright beacon of democracy: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the hopes and promises of independence have become brighter with each passing day in Mauritius, and added that the country stands out as a...
By: Zee News
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Mauritius has stood as a bright beacon of democracy: PM Modi - Video
The democratic system promotes egalitarianism, social equality and opportunities that do not repress or suppress its citizens, asserts Syerleena Abdul Rashid.
According to The Economist Intelligence Units Democracy Index, only 12.5 per cent of the worlds population live in under governments that practise full democracy. The EIU index further identifies that only 24 countries are full democracies whereas 52 countries are regarded as flawed democracies. Malaysia, our great nation, is one of these countries.
Flawed democracies are defined as countries that, even with the presence of free and fair elections, haveconsiderable drawbacks and limitations that magnify the inadequacy of present political systems.
Although basic liberties or rights are recognised, they may sometimes only exist in theory and may not be practised or applied.
A good example would be how Article 10 in our Federal Constitution guarantees freedom of speech, assembly and association: (a) every citizen has the right to freedom of speech and expression; (b) all citizens have the right to assemble peacefully and without arms; (c) all citizens have the right to form associations. But reality paints a grim picture of how such freedom have been greatly curtailed under the pretext of preserving peace and order.
The term democracy comprises two Greek words, demos (people) and kratis (power), which simply denotes the idea of people power where citizens are given the authority to create governments, laws and regulations.
Additionally, the very same citizens have the power to see certain governments come to an end.
An ideal and true democratic government provides its people with excellent education, good health care, affordable housing and equal opportunities for all. Under this concept, democracy simply recognises that all women and men are created equal and should live in safe environments away from conflict, devastation and disorder.
Unfortunately for Malaysians, there are those within the ruling regime and several elected leaders who do not believe in that understanding of democracy.
Who can forget Minister of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Abdul Rahman Dahlans suggestion that our country is at greater risk of greater polarisation of race should local government election be mandated or Pas president Hadi Awangs warning to Malaysians that if such elections were to be held, our country could see another May 13.
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Malaysias flawed democracy
Odigie-Oyegun, Muazu
The beauty of participatory democracy is election. The right to have a say in who directs the affairs of the country is a licence granted to all adults in a democracy. It is what separates citizens from residents. It is the pride of the electorate, on the basis of which they raise their shoulders and say to operators of powers and authorities: We put you there!
Forget that elections are rarely perfect. Results can be rigged. Figures can be manipulated and ballot boxes can be snatched. Nigerians are familiar with all the maladies of elections, yet, like all people who desire a say in their affairs, we still like to vote. It is the most essential power granted the citizens: The power to be part of the decision to choose the rulers. The choice of the word, rulers, here is deliberate.
Elections do not only define the power of the citizens in a democracy, it also offers hope and opportunity to reward and revenge. The electorates look forward to elections to reward benevolent elective office holders or take their pound of flesh on weak, clueless and corrupt and non-performers.
In a democracy, the authority of the government derives solely from the consent of the governed, and the most important method of granting such an authority is through elections. Elections must be periodic and schedules held sacrosanct. Anything short of that brings confusion, tension and anger. The electorates hate dictators and life presidents; they detest anybody standing in the way of elections.
When they are denied the opportunity to participate in deciding who to ascend to the throne or who to stay for more years, they become apprehensive and lose their feeling of freedom. Oftentimes, such a denial leads to mass protests, social discontent and violence.
No self-respecting leaders deny the people the chance of going to the poll at the appropriate time. Nigeria is not a banana republic. Denying the people the right to vote at the appropriate time could be a fatal error.
The signs since the poll shift by the Independent National Electoral Commission from February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11 have become ominous. Suddenly, the peoples minds have gone back to the June 12, 1993 abracadabra by the ex-dictator, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, and the attendant political crisis foisted on the nation.
In low tones, the people now talk of a pending interim government; in their hearts, they have started imagining another election annulment; in their prayers, they tell God to rain fire on whoever wants to take the country back to post-June 12, 1993 era; and in their dreams, they now see President Goodluck Jonathan refusing to allow the elections on the rescheduled dates.
Behind the Presidents emergence from obscurity to fame and power has always being election. He became a deputy governor, a governor, a vice-president and President all through the authority of the people transmitted through elections. He should be the least to be afraid of elections.
Some 41 percent of Czechs are dissatisfied with democracy, which is the lowest ever figure. An absolute majority of the satisfied was only registered once in the past. It was four years ago.
The attitudes reflect the satisfaction with the current political situation that was developing similarly between last October and this February, the pollsters said.
Satisfaction with democracy falls along with growing age and increases along with rising living standards.
Students, business- and tradespeople, and Praguers tend to be more satisfied than the rest.
The unemployed, pensioners and leftist voters tend to be dissatisfied.
One half of Czechs are of the view that democracy is better than any other way of governance. An authoritarian rule is preferred by 24 percent of Czechs, while another 21 percent said it did not matter whether the country has a democratic or undemocratic constitution.
Democracy is most often defended by people with higher education, the young, Praguers and those calling their living standards good.
The group that is indifferent to the existing regime mostly includes people with elementary education, pensioners, the unemployed and people from the Liberec Region.
Some 48 percent of Czechs agree with the view that there is a fair and equal treatment of people in the Czech Republic.
However, roughly the same proportion (47 percent) believe that these principles are not applied in the Czech Republic. The proportion of the latter fell in the past period.
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Record high number of Czechs satisfied with democracy - poll