No Losers in Democracy

11^th April 2003

The Malta Independent - Friday Wisdom

 

 

Images of monuments of Saddam being hammered and crashed to the ground mark the end of a regime, which had long outlived its function to provide the best for its citizens.

 

Much as one would question, as I do, the principle of going to war against any country without United Nations approval, few would argue that the world would be a better place without the likes of Saddam Hussein.

I had spent a few days in Baghdad some years back when Hussein was still in the good books of western governments while keeping busy at war with the revolutionary regime that had displaced the Shah in Iran.

“Democracy is the only system, imperfect as it may be, where power is transferred by the will of the people as expressed through the ballot and not through use of force, both physical as well as moral.”

“True democracy produces only winners where the will of the majority is executed within the legal structures of the country in full respect of the rights and opinion of the minority.”

Even then one could feel suffocated by the total grip that he had on the country where his images were peeping out from everywhere. His pictures were in the hotel room, in the hotel lobby, in every corner of every street, on each door of every residence, in every taxi as well as, I was told, in every private car. You could not help feeling that you were constantly being watched and that the interest of protecting the regime was superior to all others.

During this silent day preceding the general election, we have an added reason to treasure and enjoy our right to choose our leaders every few years to ensure that they do not get too comfortable with their seats of power. Democracy is the only system, imperfect as it may be, where power is transferred by the will of the people as expressed through the ballot and not through use of force, both physical as well as moral.

My appeal is therefore for people to be allowed to exercise their vote freely without undue interference. The right to vote is both personal and private, and one has a duty to use in the interest of himself, his family, his community, and his country.

Back to Saddam, now that he is gone, the United States and its allies must ensure that the country is managed in the interest of none but the people of Iraq. Only such unmistakably clear measures could give a post de facto legitimisation of the war without UN approval. It is vital for this precedent to be buried before it whets the appetite of other power seeking nations.

And back to Malta, let’s not forget that in a true democracy there are no winners and losers.

True democracy produces only winners where the will of the majority is executed within the legal structures of the country in full respect of the rights and opinion of the minority.