Dissent and democracy

In a functional democracy, people are not considered to be mere numbers. Rather, they are called “citizens” who have constitutional right to be critical about the government’s wrong policies or decisions. Freedom of speech is such a fundamental right enshrined in our constitution. Unfortunately, some politicians do not want to consider people as “citizens” and to hear dissenting voices. They tend to call us “people” in general who are befooled in many ways. This is how citizen rights, to some extent, are ignored and undermined. 

Good governance remains in a quagmire in our country. The practice of good governance is not visible in most of the organisations or institutions because democratic norms and practices are hardly exercised different sectors. Accountability is a prerequisite for good governance. Lack of accountability in any organisation leads to bad governance. In the last 50 years the country has managed to build many state organisations but almost all of them lack institutional accountability, transparency and good governance in providing the citizens with desired services.

Corruption poses a huge threat to good governance, and absence of good governance results in abuse of power. And the misuse of power begets corruption that is now rampant in Bangladesh. This is the biggest drawback to establishing good governance in public sector. In the last 30 years - since the democracy came into existence - few state institutions or organisations has managed to stand high with reputation and credibility. Even we, the citizens, do not have faith or confidence in any institution which should turn out to be a paragon of accountability, transparency and good governance in terms of their commitment and services.

These days we hear a buzzword “zero-tolerance” against the corrupt. Some of the leaders are found uttering this word routinely, but many of us doubt whether they mean it to put an end to this unbridled corruption or not. In fact, they are good at demagogic speeches. At the end of the day, people (citizens) are befooled. Also, people perceive that many among the politicians and bureaucrats indulge in corruption. 

When the idea of functional democracy is mostly invisible in the political parties - which came to power more than once since 1991, democracy cannot be established institutionally in this state. Here democracy means “the winners take all”. This is what they believe and practise in the name of democracy. Intolerance is an impediment to establishing a healthy political culture in Bangladesh. Also, intolerance is the root cause of political violence that has been prevailing since the inception of parliamentary democracy.

Democracy is meant for the wellbeing of the citizens, not for the benefits of a particular political group. The sustainability of democracy depends on the tolerant healthy political culture and the strong independent role of constitutional institutions which are accountable to the citizens (public). In our country citizens experience democracy - once every five years - when they exercise their voting right. In fact, only elections cannot guarantee democracy if the state institutions (constitutional bodies) are not strengthened enough to function independently without any political bias.

In a fragile democracy, the political party in power becomes more powerful than the government itself. It is evident that many political leaders and activists take advantage of it using the name of the topmost leader of the party in power and putting his/her picture on the poster or banner. This is how these hybrid political goons (they shouldn’t be called politicians) deceive the citizens (people) and sometimes intimidate others. They also manage to maintain good connection with the law enforcing agency like police. It is likely to happen when the state institutions fail to act proactively, independently and responsibly without any political inclination (according to the constitution). The party’s top leaders should rein in the corrupt and the criminals. Otherwise, the truly meritorious, sensible and educated citizens will lose interest about getting involved in politics. Thus politics will be contaminated and criminalised. Consequently, democracy will be dying.

When the public opinions and citizen voices are ignored, suppressed and silenced, the government starts making mistakes and wrong decisions that are not beneficial to the citizens at large. A democratic government acknowledges citizen rights, values their opinions and listens to dissenting voices. Of course, there should be a symbiotic relation between the government and the citizens (public). In our democracy, many of the citizens tend to confuse the government with the state or the party in power and vice versa. In a strong functional democracy, the government fears the citizens who are always critical about the wrong policies. On the contrary, the citizens fear the government in a weak democracy. However, the citizens should stay informed politically and act responsibly. And, of course, the media should play a vital role in educating the citizens politically and letting them know their constitutional rights and reaching out to the dissenting voices.

The writer is associate professor and head, Department of English, Stamford University Bangladesh