Even democracy begins somewhere

Even democracy begins somewhere

Patrick Guntensperger, Business Consultant, Jakarta, ttpguntensperger@hotmail.com

In a great many ways we are fortunate to be living in
Indonesia at this time in her history. While it is true that this
column has railed against Indonesia's short-sighted visa
policies, her inept civil service and most particularly, has
taken a strong position regarding the outrageous corruption that
exists throughout Indonesian government, this writer has the
highest regard for Indonesia and has an incurably sunny and
optimistic vision of the future that is available to this most
congenial of countries. As Indonesia's national elections
approach, one can't help but be suffused with hope and
determination that this fledgling democracy will flourish in the
twenty first century.

Indonesia is in a unique position right now. She has the
opportunity to score where others have fumbled the ball and to
avoid the mistakes that have sent other experiments in democratic
government back to the showers. Those of us who love this country
must grasp this opportunity and ensure that it isn't squandered.

Democracy is still in the experimental stage. It has been
around for a long time, but nobody has perfected it yet. The
ancient Greeks are often given credit for having brought it to
its apotheosis, but that is a very idealistic view of history and
a not very accurate one.

While it is true that Greece (Athens, really) was governed by
its citizens, that franchise was very restricted. It excluded the
poor, the majority of its population (slaves) and all women.
Still, it was a commendable advancement over the other forms of
government available in the ancient world, if the aim is to have
the governed participate in the governing.

Democracy has to be a choice that the people make; it is not
granted as a favor and, once established, it is not to be
considered immutable. Ancient Rome, which had been a republic
(developed to some extent on the Athenian model), chose to forego
democracy, basically because it was too much effort.

As a result of their unrestrained hero worship of Julius
Caesar, the Romans voluntarily handed over supreme authority to
him and then to a series of autocratic emperors. Beginning with
Octavius, who renamed himself Augustus, and was subsequently
worshiped as a god by Roman citizens, the Empire was ruled (not
governed) by a rapidly deteriorating succession of degenerate
psychopaths including, in just the first century of the Empire,
the brutal Tiberius and the clearly insane Nero and Caligula.

The concept of anything approaching true democracy developed
gradually in the west over the next two thousand years. One
seminal moment came in Medieval England when the despotic King
John was forced to sign the Magna Carta, a document that
effectively defined the limits of authority held by a British
king and made Britain a constitutional parliamentary monarchy.

Things went along merrily in England until the Civil War.
Cromwell ousted and beheaded the king and ran the country as Lord
Protector until the British, missing the monarchy, replaced the
commoner with a new king.

In the second half of the eighteenth century, a group of
disgruntled colonists met, discussed, argued and collaborated.
Among this group were some of the brightest minds of the century
(and this was the Enlightenment, after all), well steeped in the
liberal intellectual tradition.

Out of this think tank, a great experiment in democracy
emerged. First, a revolutionary war was fought and then the
thinking that started the whole thing was put into play. The
Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United
States of America were remarkable documents.

At once cynical (the constitution is painstakingly crafted to
avoid the possibility of tyranny sneaking back in) and idealistic
("...all men are created equal..."), it was a blueprint for a
model democracy. It was intended to stand as a shining beacon; a
set of principles built upon a foundation of rational, rigorous,
liberal intellectualism that would stand as a just society that
would be committed to truth, balance, liberty and equality for
all eternity. Damn shame that its such an utter failure.

In fact, what has grown out of such hopeful beginnings can be
described as an extremely wealthy Third World country. The United
States has become an international military and economic bully;
at home, the rich live in more obscene luxury than any Roman
Emperor could have imagined while armies of homeless wander the
streets trying to find food and a warm place to sleep.

The wealthiest nation the world has ever seen feels that
health care for its citizens would be immoral and the concept of
all men being created equal has degenerated into the reality that
if you are black and convicted of murder you are about fifteen
times more likely to be executed than if you are white.

In this failed experiment in democracy, the current President
assumed office despite having lost the election. Had that
occurred in any other country, it would not have been called "an
election"; it would have been recognized for what it was...a coup
d'etat.

Democracy is not a gift to be taken for granted; once it's up
and running it must not be neglected. It requires the constant
vigilance of a free press, the watchful eye of the
intelligentsia, but most importantly, it needs the nurturing
participation of the people. We here in Indonesia have an
opportunity to succeed where others have failed...let's not miss
this chance.