Opposition and paternalist leadership

Every so often certain political thinking re-emerges that can be classified into two categories. The first could be called democracy by consensus, or paternalist democracy. The second could be called parliamentary democracy and is commonly practiced in Western countries as well as in Japan and India.

The second type -- parliamentary democracy, where the presence of an opposition is natural -- was recently referred to by Dr. Nurcholish Madjid in a public discussion. He offered the suggestion, which he had made before, that there should be an opposition party.

In a paternalist democracy the role of the leader is not only dominant, it also lends color to public policies and ensures that things get done. Programs and plans are carried out and not merely discussed. The leader is a decisive factor and when that leader is not only strong and paternalistic but also effective, wise and strong in statesmanship, good results and great progress is achieved. All that is for the good of the nation.

At the same time, however, the successes achieved by such a paternalist leader bring about changes in society. More and more people get an education, more and more people have access to knowledge, the numbers of professionals increase and communication with the world outside grows. The presence and connections that exists between the various interests also change.

How to tackle the changes and developments, which are in this present phase occurring, is for us perhaps homework that must be done.

-- Kompas, Jakarta