Let me share some thoughts on 'democracy' with you. 'Democracy' comes in many different sizes, forms and structures. Most people associate elections or the right to 'book a particular street for a walk with a few other people' a.k.a. 'protest march' with democracy. Now, what are essential criterias for a democratic society for you?!
To me 'democracy' is more a social structure and less a form of government. For instance the education system within a truly democratic society should not aim to get the individual conform to the system as a whole, but instead teach students how to properly analyse and keep a critical distance from the various powers within the social system. In a truly democratic society the power structures within that society are being taught at schools and universities. Within a truly democratic society individuals are being raised to become democrats and taught the responsibilities that come with being one.
Individuals are enabled (in terms of knowledge and tools) to actively participate in decision making processes, that impact or shape the society in one way or another. That particular competence to actively participate within the society needs to be taught.
And with that skill all members of a society can then take part in the political decision making. But this can only work, when all people are being taught how to critically analyse social power structures. The interests of the broad majortity - not of a small elite (like in most, if not all, countries) - need to be enforced. The broad majority will only be able to recognize its own interests, if individuals are taught how to analyse the power structures.
Basically two skills need to be encouraged in a democracy: On one hand individuals need to realize how they can make changes - what kind of tools does the social system provide and what are the rules of that particular social system within which we as individuals function! One can also call it: System education.
On the other hand individuals need to be taught about the latest developments in current affairs and political/social issues and then shape his/her own opinion.
Now, these two skills are useless, if one element is missing: Motivation. In most societies, that call themself democratic, the elites try hard to keep people from actively participating in social matters, unless it is in their interest (e.g. volunteering to help the disabled, so that the government saves money and and doesn't have to bother anymore). Motivation to make a change in this world is a threat to all those that profit from the current system - be it the social, political or economic system. Therefore those people do not want any changes and are keen to have people accept situations the way they are and indulge in consumerism instead.
The skill, to see the system for what it is and to analyse it, must be gained first. It should be taught in schools and be featured in the mass-media regularly.
Societies are full of conflicts, which play an important role in many aspects. In true democracies this must be accepted and seen as something positive, because only by facing and settling conflicts, vital learning processes will take place. These conflicts can also serve as a source of motivation. Furthermore, for an individual to develop his/her own personality, conflicts that need to be overcome play an essential part. Of course there are also political/social aspects that come with them: conflicts are always the basis for political decisions. All societies are full of antagonism, which are not fixed, but flexible. A truly democratic society can only exist, if all members are aware of these power structures.
All members of a democratic society need to be competent to actively shape and influence the state.
Political education should not encourage individuals to take particular political actions, but merely enable them to represent their own interests and be politically active. All members of a democratic society should have the ability to judge political decisions and to distinguish important from less important political decisions and developments. Of course this requires a great degree of transparency. But in a truly democratic society all individuals are being encouraged to internalise these skills - since it's in their own interest.
Humans have to be enabled to critically analyse and judge their social environment and political decisions. At the same time we must be taught the importance of self-relexion.
Only a society consisting of emanzipated individuals - that learned to question the rules and dare not to conform to social structures, if necessary - can call itself democratic! At the same time all individuals need to be taught how to make use of the democratic tools and work with the social institutions.
A society full of individuals raised to conform to the political/social system in all aspects, mesmerized by consumerism and happily led by a self proclaimed elite can hardly be called democratic.
Another criteria for a democratic society is to only consist of individuals who are not just able to make social analyses, but also understand how cultures, mentalities and social structures are results of various historic developments. Members need to be naturally interested in social interrelations, not to mention in current events and conflicts within and outside of ones own society and always question political/social developments. Who really benefits from new developments?
Often the elite tries to brainwash - and so far they do so very successfully - the masses into believing that they actually have the same interests as them - denying the existence of conflicts in interests (e.g. CEOs and workers or governments and people) . Of course they do, because if the masses stop believing in their lies, it would endanger their interests and elitist position.
Democracy is nothing but a nice idea - just like various forms of anarchy, communism, socialism and others.
Currently that nice idea is being hijacked by elites to justify their power.
Are you living in a democracy? I am certainly not!
Free yourself from the Manufactured Consent and take the power back!!!
PS: You can download the movie 'Manufacturing Consent' (Mark Achbar, feat. Noam Chomsky) on the (music) video section of this site.
~GlobalPeace&Solidarity~
