Democracies in developing nations seem to keep up the
vestiges of bondage in one way or the other. Take for example those who are
dependent on public service jobs for their subsistence. Scores of people fit
this category especially in smaller nations. When their position is under
threat of loss, the mental agony of uncertainty can be excruciating. Where can
they go to find the means to eat and look after their families? This stress is
worse in those with increased family responsibilities or their age hiking beyond the middle age. Loss of a job means only
the painful safety of a few month savings as bolster at best. Most times those
who don't own their own abodes but are renters face the fear of loss of this security
also. Thus out goes what holds our self-respect and human dignity. So what is
the solution for this state of affairs?
Modern democracies seem the solution even as we continue to
say that even with its faults, there is no better one for governance available.
Perhaps that is why we in Maldives also decided
to opt for it. Yet, that element of domination we want dispelled from it seems
still there for keeps. We are provided the
‘shelter’ of parties or such loyalty just like in the past when there were godfathers in
society who safeguarded our 'safety' for a price. New fabrications of democracy
ensure only too well this safety by the purchase of our allegiance of obedience
in so many ways. Yet in the fluid environment of political intrigue that lines
the edifice of our democratic life, the anchor of such support is fleeting even
though seemingly certain. Given the emotions of a moment -- today's supporter
maybe tomorrow’s adversary. But the hapless member -follower needs this thread of
a tether and lays his life and human dignity on this flimsy hope of gifts his subordination
will bring. When this hope is shattered as is often, he moves to the shadows of
others who will give him that momentary shelter of security he yearns, and this
iteration of a charade proceeds in an unending cycle of political titillation.
So goes the play of security and freedom in our minds in democracy.
This story is not unfamiliar to our fledgling democratic
experience in Maldives either. Our
populace most of whom look to the public sector for employment and mental
security are mired in this uncertainty. The inherent mercurial nature of
politics cannot give sustainable succor to our insecure minds as long as the
causes of our insecurity are not addressed.
The solution has to be a turn for compassion in democracy. Fortunately,
our smaller communities can exercise this attitude even though the larger ones
may not be able to so quickly. In these early days of our democratic experience
we should vigorously attempt to give the basics of security to our people such
as secure housing, pension schemes and health care to still our anxiety of old
age when we can work no more to earn, the relevant quality of education for our
children or the access to loans to allay the remaining insecurities in our
lives. When compassion is exercised in
the giving, responsibilities can also be evoked from the receiver much more
easily. Short of this, our democracies can only be empty shells under which we
live out our lives in the irony of bondage.
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