Sharing India's experience<\/p>\n
By G.S. Edwin<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Democracy is peoples' aristocracy. As is the
\ncase with every aristocracy, it has its downside, which wrecked
\nIndonesia's brief association with democracy, soon after it
\ngained independence in 1945. Unfortunately, this downside seems
\nto be a possibility even today. But there is no alternative to
\ndemocracy, despite its imperfections and vulnerability.<\/p>\n
The appeal and the natural yearning of mankind for democracy
\nmake it a mighty brand equity. Undemocratic governments also hide
\nunder its banner. The New Order government was one such pseudo
\ndemocracy.<\/p>\n
Though it may sound jarring today, one must accept that
\nSoeharto's 32 years rule was not an unmixed blessing. He was
\ncommended, particularly, by all the western democratic countries,
\nfor achieving political stability and making Indonesia an
\nattractive destination for foreign investment. Indeed, the level
\nof economic achievement almost justified Deng Xiaoping's
\nobservation, \"we can't do without dictatorship. Only we must use
\nit when necessary\"<\/p>\n
So, to an outside observer it was actually the unchanging,
\nsoul-numbing monotony of power that triggered the overthrow of
\nSoeharto in 1998.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, the epochal event, generated a tremendous
\nawakening, call it a political renaissance, if you will, bringing
\nforth volcanic ideas of 1945 vintage, since then dormant. They
\nare: Rulers must change periodically, otherwise, once entrenched
\nin power, they produce political apathy and only facilitate
\nservitude; Governance is moral before it is political; None
\nshould plunge into politics to make his fortune.<\/p>\n
The primal principle of democracy is the worth and dignity of
\nthe individual. Justice is the basis of all societies.<\/p>\n
Indonesia must now set up a new paradigm of public discourse
\nand conduct, responsibility and rectitude. Certain ground rules
\nshould be observed --<\/p>\n
First, democracy stands for equality; but carried too far as a
\nrhetoric, it would paralyze the polity and governance.<\/p>\n
Second, the deadliest foe of democracy is liberty frenzied or
\nturning licentious. Clement Atlee, the Labor Prime Minister of
\nEngland and a great believer of democracy, who granted
\nindependence to India, said in despair: \"Democracy means
\ngoverning by discussion; but, it is only effective if you stop
\npeople talking too much\".<\/p>\n
Third, all democratic governments are managed by the combined
\nwisdom and folly of the people, so expectations must be
\nrealistic.<\/p>\n
Fourth, in a pluralistic country like Indonesia, there should
\nbe a conscious endeavor to diffuse political power and
\nresponsibility widely and make the number of men engaged in
\npublic affairs sufficiently large.<\/p>\n
Maybe a road map for Indonesia is desirable to \"put first
\nthings first\". India, perhaps, has some lessons for Indonesia,
\ngiven some similarities between the two countries.<\/p>\n
India has a plethora of minority groups based on religion,
\nlanguage, region, custom, tradition and race.<\/p>\n
The Indian Constitution accommodates the bewildering plurality
\nby harmonizing the conflicting interests through an exhaustive
\nenumeration of the various inviolable rights of all Indians.<\/p>\n
It also establishes a clear relationship between the
\ngovernments at the center and the states, and within a state,
\nbetween a state government and the villages administration.<\/p>\n
No basic law defining the political structure can be static if
\nit is to serve a dynamic body politic. So India found it
\nnecessary to appoint recently a Constitution Review Commission to
\nreview the working of the Constitution and suggest
\nrecommendations for change, aiming for better governance.<\/p>\n
At this juncture, it would be appropriate for Indonesia to
\nappoint a constitution review commission. The 1945 Constitution
\nwould need a revision because of the ease with which it was
\nsubverted, meaning it probably lacks checks and balances.<\/p>\n
Besides, a high-powered review commission going around the
\ncountry and inviting people to state their constitutional
\nexpectations is bound to create a tremendous synergy at the
\ngrass-root level.<\/p>\n
It will certainly deepen faith in the Constitution and in the
\ndetermination of a constitutional rule to secure justice, liberty
\nand equality of opportunities for all.<\/p>\n
Indonesia can also note that India has given, through its
\nConstitution, independence from the executive to many bodies, to
\ninfuse confidence, strengthen democratic sentiment and create a
\ndurable democratic bias.<\/p>\n
There is among others the election commission, the
\nminority\/human rights commission and the finance commission.
\nThere is also specific guarantee of independence of the
\njudiciary.<\/p>\n
In Indonesia, if and when a commission produces a revised
\nConstitution, the legislature and the People's Consultative
\nAssembly, may convert itself into a Constituent Assembly, to
\ndeliberate over the various provisions in the new Constitution
\nand approve it, helping real democracy to take root.<\/p>\n
Otherwise, there could be a political vacuum and a real
\nmonster of a government can step in and masquerade as a
\ndemocracy, again.<\/p>\n
It would be a great loss to the world, if Indonesia were to
\nfalter for want of public spirited citizens, wise leaders,
\nenlightened statesmanship and a consensus on a grand vision.<\/p>",
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