Hurdles for us in Democratic Setup Written By Ke Jung Politics now-a-day is different from that of the olden days. The politicians (generals) who once had to learn how to flatter the dictator have now to learn how to attract and persuade the electorates. Thus, participation of people in the affairs of the states, the relationship between the state and the individual, the rights of citizens, the problems of political obligations are other aspects of present politics picture. In fact, it is responsibility of Nagas in Burma as citizen of Burma have to response to the every political affair of the people. And responding at such particular situation can influence to the new paradigm-shift in the political history of Nagas in Burma. Changing one man rule to constitutional rule need to be pondered upon cautiously and wisely when we strategized our political affairs. In the past days we shall listen to one man but now they shall listen to us. Democracy originally meant rule by the common people, the plebeians. It means the democracy that we are talking of Burma shall grant us more power to the common people. However, the real ground situation of Nagas in Burma is far from the spirit of so-called democracy of Burma. My assumptions are; either it could be a matter of weak constitutional or failing to practice it. Also can be our own ignorance of the new political setup. Or because of those all reasons. But there is no excuse and no way to avoid the consequences of it. Thus my impression on the Burma’s democracy ended right here and I obliged a sense of responsibility. Greek philosopher Cleon defined democracy as the rule “of the people, by the people and for the people”. Some considered the democracy as the rule of poor, regardless of whether the poor were a majority or minority. I shall identify three main elements of democracy that we out to understand are; (1) intellectually, democracy meant equality, (2) constitutionally, it meant rule of the majority, and (3) socially, it meant rule of the poor at the expense of the rich. Not to limited here but there are more key features of the essences of democracy. I am here not to explain what democracy is but my purpose is to encourage the people through making realization of the box where we are being placed. The choice is ours! In the democratic constitutional societies, the leaders, intellectual people (who are able to lead the people), rich people regardless of their abilities and capacities they can’t achieve the political goal without people’s supports. It legitimates and equalized the common people; on the other hand it is a way of doing it in democratic societies. Therefore, the Naga intellectual people in Yangon and anywhere of the world must realize this. We must build common ground by paving the way to the freedom and development for the common people. I will be guilt to overlook your contributions but I shall encourage everyone to put collective contributions and efforts to triumph the race. And the sustainable collective contributions are that all we need. I do also understand the various constraints and difficulties existing for all of us. Ours complex social structure is also one of the hurdles for us to go along. However, the most difficult challenge that I went through is changing our mindsets. The past trauma experiences that we went through are the worst and inhuman in the history. Our way of thinking and exposures were limited by it. These psychological traumas are still binding us not to move ahead. In another words, we are not used to it where we are today. It is new thing and it is strange!! Instance, our way of thinking for oneness is a hurdle to us which the principle the military regime has used to control us. We must accept the diversity and we should enjoy it. We need a unity in diversity. Therefore, understanding the time paradigm-shift will help us to change our mindset and change as a whole. The needs of everything are at everywhere. These are challenges and opportunities for us. It is time for us to put our heads together and reason together. Let me conclude my unreasonable and incomplete paragraphs with first stanza of Charles Albert Tindley’s song called “We shall overcome”. “We shall overcome, we shall overcome, We shall overcome someday. Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe, We shall overcome someday.” Kuknalim!!!
Posted on: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 06:45:07 +0000
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