Democracy is when the needy and not the rich are the rulers

Today we celebrate the United Nations’ World Democracy Day with this year’s theme being ‘democracy and conflict prevention’.   

This has extra special significance for Sri Lanka where in January 2015 the people elected a new government which said its main aim would be to restore democracy and the rule of law, transparency, accountability and other virtues of a just society.  

There are positives and negatives on the extent to which the National Unity Government has  progressed with the main complaint being the failure to bring to justice former VIP politicians, officials and their associates who allegedly plundered billions of dollars from public funds. According to the UN, this year’s theme focuses on the critical need to strengthen democratic institutions to promote peace and stability. A more integrated approach to foster resilient societies calls for effective and inclusive democratic governance with respect for human rights and the rule of law.

  
The UN says resilient societies are able to mitigate disputes through mediation, dialogue and a reasonable degree of legitimacy of their institutions. Developing effective conflict prevention mechanisms and infrastructures provide a foundation to resolve grievances and sustain peace. Processes, such as peace agreements, elections and constitutional reforms, can help maintain equilibrium among competing interests and reduce fragility and the likelihood of organized violence.   
Strong leadership to support democracy, the UN says strengthen civil society, empowers women and upholds the rule of law -- conditions that preserve stability and peace.  Recognizing the indivisible links between peaceful societies and effective, accountable and inclusive institutions, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development addresses democracy in Sustainable Development Goal 16.  
UN Secretary General, António Guterres in a message says, this day is an opportunity to recommit to a world defined by values enshrined in the United Nations Charter: Peace, justice, respect, human rights, tolerance and solidarity. Yet in many societies around the world, there is a crisis of faith. Globalization and technological progress have lifted many out of poverty, but have also contributed to inequality and instability. There is a growing and deepening divide among people, as well as between the people and the political establishments that exist to represent them.  

In Sri Lanka, since January 2015 significant progress appears to have been made by the National Unity Government headed by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. The major parties working together is itself a major achievement though there are many disputes and divisions or threats and wheels within deals. The government is regularly and publicly criticised by some ministers but this is widely seen as a healthy sign for democracy. It was unimaginable during the former Rajapaksa regime.   

The most notable achievement was the 19th Constitutional Amendment whereby President Sirisena willingly and voluntarily gave up most of his executive powers while overturning the dictatorial 18th Amendment. The Right to Information Law is another important factor while the RTI Commission is doing an excellent job in ensuring the people’s right to the freedom of information. The right to media freedom and the right to protest have also been restored to a large extent though some groups with vested interests are seen to be often abusing this freedom, as they are threatening to do so even today. President Sirisena has declared that anyone who wishes to, could conduct demonstrations but the National Government will go ahead with its strategic, eco-friendly development plan to build a peaceful, just and all inclusive society.   

In the vital area of reconciliation, a major step will be taken today with the implementation of the Office of Missing Persons Act. The independent OMP is expected to inquire into petitions relating to thousands of people who disappeared and give these families at least the consolation of knowing what has happened or not happened to their loved ones. We hope within the coming months and years we will see effective checks and balances among the four main democratic institutions -- the executive, the legislature, the judiciary and the media. But as philosopher Aristotle says, democracy is when the needy and not the rich people are the rulers and to reach that vision we have a long, long way to go.