Why Democracy – My Body, My Weapon – Video
Why Democracy - My Body, My Weapon
By: Why Democracy?
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Why Democracy - My Body, My Weapon - Video
Archive for December, 2014
Modi says soldiers in Kashmir guarding democracy
SRINAGAR, India (AP) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday defended India's decades-long military presence in the disputed Kashmir region, saying troops were there to safeguard the country's democracy against separatist rebels.
He deplored a series of rebel attacks on Friday that killed 21 people, including eight Indian soldiers and three police officers.
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Promises, promises
Back when he was auditioning for the prime ministership, Tony Abbott promised "no cuts to the ABC". This promise has now been broken. The ABC will lose more than $300 million over five years. Lies and false pledges are not only right-wing failings. For example, Kevin Rudd bailed on the emissions trading scheme, having announced in 2009 that "the clock is ticking for the planet". (It ticks for thee.) Plenty of Labor statements involve cherry-picking or unsubstantiated claims.
Politiciansare in the business of misleading and misguiding their electorates, and have been since before Peisistratos fibbed his way onto the Acropolis. Deception transcends not only political boundaries, but also the divides between species.
Monkeys lie about who is sleeping with whom. Dogs misdirect one another away from grub. Male cuttlefish sometimes pretend to be female on the side of their body facing a rival male. In terms of evolution, deception is often a way to have one's cake and eat it: the benefits of co-operation without the losses.
You are protected by the dominant male monkey, for example, but you still mate with "his" females. But there is a risk, of course: if discovered, the dominant male might maim or kill you, and you might drop down the group's hierarchy (or outside it altogether).
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The more general point is that this kind of deception requires not only social relationships, but also trust or the expectation of reliability. As philosopher Immanuel Kant noted in the 18th century, a situation in which everyone lies is absurd, since no-one will believe one another. To deceive, we have to be believed.
Which brings us back to Abbott and his political peers, right and left. How does representative democracy work, given the high levels of distrust? Politicians currently rank near real estate agents for trustworthiness. Abbott promised to bring the "trust deficit" into surplus, but has so far been spending goodwill faster than he can earn it. The Australian electorate simply does not believe much of what politicians say except for the gaffes that belie the party spiel.
The trick is partly one of compartmentalisation. Partisans of both sides do not care about truth in general. They want policies and statements that accord with their ideology. So leftists are outraged about Abbott's budget cuts, while rightists were furious about Gillard's "tax". While each side might and I stress the might recognise some deception or treachery in policies they endorse, their evaluation of it changes. Suddenly, an outright lie or calculated switcheroo is trivial, and those who complain about it are soft whiners. This can have an air of achingly grown-up Realpolitik to it: it does not matter what is promised, as long as I get the policies I want.
One problem with this approach is that it makes many citizens complicit in continual deception, deviousness and speciousness. Politics is more than management. It is how a community realises, often in conflict, its values and ideals.
When we knowingly endorse the moral failings of our representatives, we are making a commitment to these failings they become an integral part of the society we render. In this case, Australian representative democracy is fundamentally cynical and false.
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Promises, promises
RB, Nevers Mumba reconciliatory meeting flops
FLASHBACK Nevers Mumba (L) with former president Rupiah Banda
The International Institute of Democracy and Conflicts Resolutions has taken a swipe at embattled MMD president Nevers Mumba for shunning a reconciliatory meeting which was held in Lusaka today.
But Dr. Mumbas Special Assistant and Communications Director, Raphael Nakachinda refuted claims that the MMD president was invited to the reconciliation meeting.
International Institute of Democracy and Conflicts Resolutions president Tresford Chomba said it was regrettable that Dr. Mumba opted to go on a campaign trail in the Copperbelt province despite having been informed of the meeting aimed at reconciling him and MMD presidential candidate Rupiah Banda.
Mr. Chomba told journalists that Dr. Mumba was informed and invited to attend the reconciliatory meeting.
He alleged that Dr. Mumba had agreed to attend the meeting but later decided to shy away. He expressed disappointment at Dr. Mumbas behaviour especially that the latter was a clergyman who was supposed to embrace peace.
Mr. Chomba said the institute was concerned with the wrangles that have engulfed political parties hence the move to organize a reconciliation meeting between the rival camps in the MMD party.
He said wrangles which have immersed political parties will end up confusing the electorate if they were left unaddressed.
Mr. Chomba has since urged political parties to cherish and uphold peace as this was cardinal in growing the countrys young democracy.
At the time of the reconciliatory meeting in Lusaka, Dr. Mumba was seen holding a campaign rally in Kitwe on Sunday afternoon.
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RB, Nevers Mumba reconciliatory meeting flops
Edith Nawakwi launches campaign in Kitwe (with Pictures)
FORUM for Democracy and Development (FFD) President Edith Nawakwi addressing a rally at the Changanamai grounds in Kitwe
FORUM for Democracy and Development (FDD) President Edith Nawakwi has urged people to vote for her as she would not make any broken promises.
Ms Nawakwi said for the past fifty years Zambian people had been forced to live by broken promises by previous Governments.
She was speaking during the launch of the parties Campaigns on the Copperbelt at the Changanamai grounds in Kitwe yesterday.
Ms Nawakwi said she would not make any promises to the Zambian people but pledged to work hand in hand with Zambian people to bring development to the country.
She said time had come for people in the country to have their dignity restored by voting for her as she would work with them in creating employment and development.
I am here to ask you all to vote for me so that we can work together in bringing development to each and every district in the country, Ms Nawakwi said.
She said the country had enough resources to carter for each and everyone and achieve a poverty free nation.
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Edith Nawakwi launches campaign in Kitwe (with Pictures)