Populist Path
Announced in the National Assembly a few hours after it was deliberately leaked to the media, the thrust of Federal Budget points to a turn to populism. Not going the whole hog points to General Elections not taking place immediately but possibly later in late 2007, i.e. unless something drastic forces an early 2007 date. Predictably govt ministers and officials, as well as those who support the govt and/or have reason to do so, swarmed the electronic and print media to sing the Budget’s praises. Predictably the Opposition opposed it for the sake of opposition, in a singular feat of negative reaction not one soul in the opposition saw even one iota of good in the entire Budget document. Where has objectivity gone?
Suggestions For Polls
The measure of democratic norms is an inexact science that is often manipulated to suit the country, entity or individual taking that measure. The meaning and usefulness of democracy depends to what extent it serves the interests thereof of the practitioner. It suits authoritarian regimes to describe their concept of democracy as that suited to “the genius of the people”, it does not need a genius to surmise that democracy is often tailored to foster acceptance of domination by a strong minority, often perversely and contrary to the interests of the majority. The difference between such a “democracy” and dictatorship lies in the eyes of the beholder, at least in a dictatorship we hold one person accountable. In the two major democracies of the US and India, rightfully proud as bastions of democracy, “the first past the post” system negates the rule of the majority in favour of a strong minority, only 5% winning candidates got more than 50%. The need for a majority to exercise the voters’ mandate must be sacrosanct.