As mentioned earlier, democracy depends on the voting of the people for a government they desire. However, certain political groups, in their race to obtain as many votes as possible, may change their policies to suit the majority. In such a situation, if that political group is elected, they will be a government that will represent only the majority and not the minority. This may lead to the rise of certain prejudices or conflicts between the majority and the minority if the minority feels that they are being suppressed and biased against by their government.
A case study we have discussed in class would be the conflict in Sri Lanka. The official name of Sri Lanka is the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. Being a "democratic" country, they also have elections. However, due to the overwhelming number of Sinhalese as compared to the Tamils, the Sinhalese will always win. The reason of the conflict in Sri Lanka is also due to this fact, that the Tamils feel that they are not represented properly in their country. From this case study, I can conclude that democracy may not lead to a stable society if the government's policies only suit the majority.
Since democracy is based on the people, the majority may also want to exert their influence on the minority. Instead of voting for "what's best for the country", the people vote for "what's best for me". This may result in the majority exerting their "power" on the minority. This is also evident in the Sri Lanka case study.
The government elected by the people ultimately depend on the people's mindsets, hence media influence play an important role in helping to mould the people's thinking and mindsets. What is propoganda? Well, it is the art of persuading people to side a certain political party . Its main purpose could be to help emphasize certain policies of political party or to help the political party spread negative messages about another party.
When Hitler ruled Germany, he appreciated the value of propoganda. and how it was vital in ensuring his rule over Germany. He appointed Dr Joseph Goebbels (1897 - 1945) as the Minister of Propoganda and National Enlightenment. Dr Goebbels main task was to ensure that nothing offensive existed in Germany that could potentially destroy the credibility of the Nazis. Books and films that procured Nazi teachings were burned. He tried to control the lives of the German citizens as much as possible. Art, literature, music, radio and films were all controlled by the Nazis. Their propoganda was particularly successful in turning the Germans against their fellow Jewish Germans. About six million Jews were mercilessly executed.
The mindsets of the people may be influenced by propogada. In a situation like this, the people may not make the right choice due to their clouded judgement. This may lead to a situation like that of Nazi Germany.
In conclusion, democracy has certain weaknesses. It may cause politcal parties to bend their policies for the majority, allow the suppression of the minority and propoganda clouding the people's judgement. I feel that the underlying problem of democracy is "what if the people do not make the right choice". As long as people's mindset can be moulded by propoganda, an equal democracy for any country may never be achieved. Hence, I conclude that democracy does not result in a stable society because of the people's role.
A case study we have discussed in class would be the conflict in Sri Lanka. The official name of Sri Lanka is the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. Being a "democratic" country, they also have elections. However, due to the overwhelming number of Sinhalese as compared to the Tamils, the Sinhalese will always win. The reason of the conflict in Sri Lanka is also due to this fact, that the Tamils feel that they are not represented properly in their country. From this case study, I can conclude that democracy may not lead to a stable society if the government's policies only suit the majority.
Since democracy is based on the people, the majority may also want to exert their influence on the minority. Instead of voting for "what's best for the country", the people vote for "what's best for me". This may result in the majority exerting their "power" on the minority. This is also evident in the Sri Lanka case study.
The government elected by the people ultimately depend on the people's mindsets, hence media influence play an important role in helping to mould the people's thinking and mindsets. What is propoganda? Well, it is the art of persuading people to side a certain political party . Its main purpose could be to help emphasize certain policies of political party or to help the political party spread negative messages about another party.
When Hitler ruled Germany, he appreciated the value of propoganda. and how it was vital in ensuring his rule over Germany. He appointed Dr Joseph Goebbels (1897 - 1945) as the Minister of Propoganda and National Enlightenment. Dr Goebbels main task was to ensure that nothing offensive existed in Germany that could potentially destroy the credibility of the Nazis. Books and films that procured Nazi teachings were burned. He tried to control the lives of the German citizens as much as possible. Art, literature, music, radio and films were all controlled by the Nazis. Their propoganda was particularly successful in turning the Germans against their fellow Jewish Germans. About six million Jews were mercilessly executed.
The mindsets of the people may be influenced by propogada. In a situation like this, the people may not make the right choice due to their clouded judgement. This may lead to a situation like that of Nazi Germany.
In conclusion, democracy has certain weaknesses. It may cause politcal parties to bend their policies for the majority, allow the suppression of the minority and propoganda clouding the people's judgement. I feel that the underlying problem of democracy is "what if the people do not make the right choice". As long as people's mindset can be moulded by propoganda, an equal democracy for any country may never be achieved. Hence, I conclude that democracy does not result in a stable society because of the people's role.
No comments:
Post a Comment