Maldives, for a long time has never felt this loved by her people. Every one of us has something to say, some view on something related to our nation. Hopes are high; hopelessness seems to be a thing of the history. It has become more so with the highly-energised campaigns towards the upcoming vote by the people to decide which system of governance “ parliamentary or presidential - is the best for the nation.
My uncle woke up me from the after-noon-nap with his furious voice over the phone, yesterday. He didn’t like finding my mom (his sis) on the DRP campaign rally and wanted me to stop her from getting involved. He is a die hard MDP boy. I wanted to laugh at his situation but he was too upset. I am not sure to what extent was I successful but I tried to console him. Relieved, I felt, when he hung up the phone while I was searching my mind for the best sentences.
What a fine time to live and be a Maldivian? Elder sister differs from younger brother on political views and are actively making differences in the interest of their loved nation. Late into the evening I switched on the television to hit on the best ever political debate done in the Maldives. It wasn’t just another People’s Majlis Kasoati. Politicians were hard trying to convince the public for their preferred system of governance. Yes, they were trying to convince ‘me’ for what they thought will serve the best our nation. I felt like being treated a rightful citizen by people in power, first time in my life time.
Debate went on! I waited and listened and the debate ended. To my dismay, I have been still left with the initial questions that I started to make up my mind on what system of governance presidential or parliamentary will be most suitable for the country.
1. What system with what mechanisms will safeguard people’s interests against co-operate influence on national policies?
2. What system will most safeguard our national interests against foreign hegemony in the increasingly globalizing world?
3. Parliamentary or Presidential; which one will allow easy access for the ‘citizen with new ideas and new problems across and beyond basic structures?
It seems like we have chosen to take a long road, step by step, to commit every mistake that every other nation has gone through on the cycle of democracy. It is said old and young all successful democracies join and live on a learning curve. We seem to like the opposite.
Corporate control, foreign hegemony and extent of public participation are modern challenges of initiating and developed democracies.
Why are we stuck at the basic simple issues? British system is this and American system is that. Can’t we, since we have all the experiences of all democracies to start with, come up with something better than all?
Boys and girls; if you are to take one take a challenge worth taking.
12 responses so far ↓
AAA // Aug 17, 2007 at 11:22 pm
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Hameed // Aug 18, 2007 at 5:30 am
No, we cannot do somthing better than all others. We are copy cats. Haven’t you noticed that my dear? Who has guts to say I want it better than Europe? No one has.
sujal // Aug 18, 2007 at 6:53 am
better than Europe? ok? how about Canada and Australia and Malaysia and Japan and Singapore?
jaa // Aug 18, 2007 at 3:57 pm
I do agree with what you’ve said and the concerns raised, to an extent. However, trying to “invent” a totally new system of government or even slightly tweak an existing one might be a risky approach - especially when we seem to be undergoing the consequences of one such failure. If we want innovation, might it be a wiser decision to be a copycat and duplicate a place like Denmark/Netherlands/Sweden (which are doing pretty well!) or even USA/UK, than take jabs in the dark?
Asim // Aug 19, 2007 at 9:37 am
I hope the public has answered your questions! What do you think?
ra:zuwa: // Aug 19, 2007 at 1:08 pm
Dear AAA
How does an Islamic Governance System work? Is it something like Iranian system?
ra:zuwa: // Aug 19, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Dear Hammed,
I think we can. We can innovate to come up with a better one. I think with a bit of patriotism and farsightedness we can do that.
ra:zuwa: // Aug 19, 2007 at 1:16 pm
Dear Sujal
Thank you for the comment. Yes, all of those systems are good in their own right. We have to come up with something that will suite us best.
ra:zuwa: // Aug 19, 2007 at 1:24 pm
Yes, JAA
Yes, we can benchmark best systems. But like I mentioned in the blog their are serious challenges that we inherited with our own situation, nature and size. Thats why I think it requires innovation. Our past failures are weaknesses in our innovation, creativity and ability to think strategic interests of people and the nation. In my view.
There are mordern problems that develped democracies are getting chanllenged by; they need to be solved when we start our own.
I think we too are an intelignet people.
ra:zuwa: // Aug 19, 2007 at 1:26 pm
Yes, Asim, I do think the public at ballot boxes said something about my questions. You are right. Let me write somthing about that in the next blog.
Thank you all for your comments!
Shihab // Aug 20, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Dear Shahuru, we need people in this country who can trust each other; and respect those who don’t think like they do.
The 8/18 vote was loud and clear. People want a stable government. There is considerable support for the opposition. They can win a presidential election provided they field a credible candidate.
ra:zuwa: // Aug 20, 2007 at 9:43 pm
Thank you Shihab. Yes, but I wonder if people at both political power houses see what I see. They left lessons to learn ‘ in my view.
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