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Short cut, due process, workings of democracy

Quick action, fast track and short cut are some of the phrases that aptly describe the attitude of many of us when it comes to our expectations and outcomes, be it in religion, public behaviour or governance.

When selecting deities to worship, for example, we fall on those that prove quick in responding to our request for blessings and reward to ourselves, or death and punishment to those that step on our toes.

We are not fond of anything that impedes quick moves towards our goal. Daily we always see artificially created footpaths crisscrossing well-manicured lawns in public places marring its beauty.

This is so because people prefer shortcuts to their destinations, to the noble intention of beautifying the community with the green cover the lawn provides.

Conflict, chaos

Unfortunately, we have infested our governance process with this attitude making nonsense of the concept of due process, one of the bedrocks of democracy.

If all of us rush to satisfy our desires and expectations, the differences of the desires and expectations we have will create conflict and chaos that will make living a hell for all of us.

Because of that, we have a variety of laws to guide us to harmonise our conflicting interests to ensure a safe and stable society for everyone to thrive. Sometimes observing the rules and regulations dictated by laws slows our expectations and forces us to exercise patience as we wait for outcomes.

Despite the existence of these laws, people still behave as if they are the law itself or above it.

They are always ready to show people where power lies. To them, not within the law, but their own individual self.

Power, common good

Democracy thrives on due process, institutions and established systems. In the absence of these elements, it is power that drives expectations and shapes outcomes.

People with power will always have their way and direct outcomes towards their personal desires and expectations at the expense of the common good.

Our penchant for quick action and short cuts makes us repudiate due processes of democracy.

Due process, smooth operations of institutions and systems delay the desire of the powerful for immediate vengeance and other outcomes when dealing with adversaries.

It, therefore, becomes convenient for the powerful to undermine these established systems and institutions to ensure speedy outcomes that satisfy their desires.

People entrusted with state power most often fall prey to this tendency.

They tend to prioritise the consolidation of their own power at the expense of building and consolidating strong systems and institutions that make democracy strong and robust.

Lasting benefits

For more than 36 years since we embraced democracy under the Fourth Republic, many people still have nostalgia for military intervention.

The desire for coup d’etats hypes when there are delays in expectations of democracy.

The due processes and other elements of democracy may seem an impediment to quick outcomes and expectations, but if well entrenched, they surely result in lasting benefits not only to the privileged and powerful few, but all citizens.

The writer is with the Institute of Current Affairs and Diplomacy (ICAD)

E-mail: Lawmat2014@gmail.com

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