True democracy applicable?

True democracy applicable?

From Pikiran Rakyat

The term "democracy" is very familiar to our ears, and most of the Indonesian people are struggling for democratization in all fields, which is in line with the era of reform. And this very process of democratization has given rise to the establishment of tens of new political parties, each with its beautiful concept of how democracy should be implemented.

However, the question that has yet to be answered is: Have we really understood very well the true meaning of democracy in greater details? What really is the source of democracy, the principle on which democracy is based? What various ideas and roles does democracy carry?

Democracy, in its genuine meaning, is only an ideal, a theory that is not applicable. True democracy never has been and never will be realized. Even in the countries of its birth (America and Britain), democracy is not fully applicable. This is primarily because of the fact that it is impossible for all the people (continuously assembling in one place) to give the right considerations to find a solution to every state of affair. Neither is it possible for the people as a whole (assembling at one particular place) to carry out administration.

In America and Britain, for instance, the head of state and the people's representatives are elected to represent a minority, and not a majority. They, in fact, only represent the interest of the capitalist groups. Actually, a Moslem should only practice the law of Allah.

Therefore, the statement claiming that the regulations and laws decreed by the governments in democratic countries are a realization of the people's aspirations and democracy, is in essence far from reality.

VERTIE ORISA

Bandung, West Java