Promoting democracy in a transitional society<\/p>\n
By Mochtar Buchori<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): In a recent discussion about democracy the
\nparticipants heatedly debated the best methodology and approach
\nto the topic.<\/p>\n
The following question ultimately divided the participants
\ninto two opposing groups: What is the best way of promoting
\ndemocracy at this stage of our political development?<\/p>\n
The first group argued that within the present political
\nconditions democracy can best be promoted by creating an
\natmosphere which shows to the public that the process of
\ndemocratization is not yet dead in this country.<\/p>\n
This can be done by organizing seminars in which respectable
\nand trustworthy personalities are invited to discuss conditions
\nwhich still hamper the national efforts toward a fuller and more
\nmature democracy. Events like this will stimulate the entire
\nsociety, from top to bottom, to actively promote democracy.<\/p>\n
The other group said the country needs the strengthening of
\nthose groups which seek to promote real practices of democracy at
\nthe grassroots level. Members of this group defended their
\nposition by arguing that the ultimate test concerning the success
\nof our efforts to promote democracy is whether or not we are
\ncapable of implementing principles of democracy in our daily
\nlives, and not whether or not we are capable of delivering moving
\nrhetoric about democracy.<\/p>\n
System<\/p>\n
They argued that democracy is not a system that can be handed
\ndown from the top. It is a system that can be acquired only by
\ncollective efforts to change ourselves.<\/p>\n
In elaborating their position, the first group argued that
\nwhat the country needs at the moment is a feeling among the
\npublic that the archipelago is indeed still moving toward a more
\ndemocratic way of life; that the obstacles toward true democracy
\nthat have persisted thus far in our society can be defeated.<\/p>\n
In short we have to instill the feeling among the public that
\ndemocracy still has hope in this country. Without this feeling
\nthe majority of the public will be apathetic towards any call to
\nstrengthen democracy.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, the second group pointed out that thus far
\nwe have been unable to defeat the anti-democratic forces that
\nhave been working within our society. Democratic principles have
\nbeen twisted by these forces, and we are not capable of stopping
\nthe political manipulation that leads to this twisting. The
\nresult is that democracy has become a mere formalism in our
\nsociety.<\/p>\n
Proponents of the second approach do not believe that the
\nsituation can be remedied simply by oratory about democracy.<\/p>\n
I did not participate in this discussion. I was informed about
\nthis discussion by one of the participants. According to this
\nperson, the opinion among the participants was still divided up
\nto the end of the discussion. She came to me for a \"neutral\"
\nopinion which she hoped she will be able to use in the next round
\nof the discussion.<\/p>\n
She also informed me that somehow this deadlock must be
\nbroken. It is important that the group reaches a compromise, and
\nthat it moves into real actions that will genuinely strengthen
\ndemocracy in our society.<\/p>\n
\"So, what is your advice, Bapak?\"<\/p>\n
\"I am not sure if I can give you any advice in this case. I am
\nnot a political guru. I am not even sure that I can give you a
\n\"neutral\" opinion. I will try to give you my personal opinion,
\nbut I doubt if you can call it a `neutral' opinion.\"<\/p>\n
Concept<\/p>\n
In my view, promoting democracy is essentially an act of
\ncontinuously stimulating the process of transformation of value
\nsystems. Democracy is ultimately a concept concerning a way of
\nlife, including a way of treating other persons in our life. The
\nextent to which a person upholds democracy can be seen from the
\nway he or she treats the household maids, his or her driver, and
\nso forth. The way a professor treats his or her students is also
\nindicative of his or her belief in democracy.<\/p>\n
When this republic was born, feudalism was still the accepted
\nway of life. Even Bung Karno (the nation's first president,
\nSukarno) with his credo of democracy still acted like a feudal
\nlord in many ways. This was and is an inevitable situation.<\/p>\n
We must admit, however, that during the period from 1945 to
\nnow, democracy as a way life has made many strides in our
\nsociety. It is true that this is not the case in every aspect of
\nour lives. But the progress is there for all of us to see.<\/p>\n
If we feel now, at this moment, that this transformation
\nprocess has come to a halt, then we should first inquire as to
\nwhat the primary force is that is slowing down or stopping this
\nprocess. Then, depending upon our understanding concerning the
\nnature of this primary force, we should select a strategy --
\nincluding approach and methodology -- that is capable of taming
\nthis blocking force.<\/p>\n
I think that the present slowing down of this transformation
\ntoward democracy is basically caused by our misunderstanding
\nconcerning the nature of democracy.<\/p>\n
Most of us still think that democracy and democratization are
\nconcepts which are applicable only to political life. Most of us
\nstill think that democracy and democratization are merely
\nproblems of procedure.<\/p>\n
Few among us really understand that democratization is
\nessentially a matter of revising our personal and collective
\nviews of life, which in practice consists of abandoning certain
\ntraditional values, modifying other values, and taking over and
\nadapting new values.<\/p>\n
Combination<\/p>\n
It is the combination of these three steps that evolves a new
\nvalue system.<\/p>\n
How do you keep these processes alive? By constantly examining
\nthe relevance of existing values vis-a-vis new situations that
\narise in our society.<\/p>\n
Seen in this way, I think that among the forces that have
\nblocked our democratization process essentially, is the
\nunwillingness among some of us to examine our existing values and
\nvalue system.<\/p>\n
The question becomes then: How do you persuade these people to
\nbecome more open-minded, to become less defensive in confronting
\nnew situations?<\/p>\n
I do not think that this question can be resolved by
\noperations or activities at the upper layer or operations at the
\nlower layer of our society.<\/p>\n
I think that the answer lies in identifying groups of persons
\nin our society that can be considered critical in spreading the
\ndemocratic view among the overall public. It is these groups that
\nshould be the target of these activities. This approach should
\ninvolve a combination of groups that operate at the top, in the
\nmiddle, and at the bottom of our society.<\/p>\n
Dr. Mochtar Buchori is former deputy chairman of the
\nIndonesian Institute of Sciences and now rector of the
\nMuhammadiyah University.<\/p>",
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