Democracy: Illusion of Choice
We have always been told that democracy is a system of choice, a system of people, a system of representation, a system of fairness and justice. But that’s a lie, democracy is a lie, especially how we practice it. Slowly but surely the spirit of democracy is dying.
The Freedom House report “Freedom in the World 2021: Democracy under Siege” already highlighted how democracy is facing existential threats from authoritarian regimes, far-right parties, military coups, and militants, as well as internal dissatisfaction and disillusionment among voters. This report also notes that the impact of the long-term democratic decline has become increasingly global in nature, broad enough to be felt by those living under the cruelest dictatorships, as well as by citizens of long-standing democracies. Nearly 75 percent of the world’s population lived in a country that faced deterioration last year. The ongoing decline has given rise to claims of democracy’s inherent inferiority. Proponents of this idea include official Chinese and Russian commentators seeking to strengthen their international influence while escaping accountability for abuses, as well as anti-democratic acts within democratic states who see an opportunity to consolidate power. Republican lawmakers in the US have enacted laws that make it harder to vote, especially for minorities and low-income voters, based on false claims of fraud in the 2020 presidential election. Pro-democracy activists, civil society groups and opposition parties have challenged the erosion of democracy in places like India, Taiwan, South Africa and Ethiopia, and even US and Europe have struggled to defend and reform their own democratic systems.
In a report by The Economist highlights that many of these elections fall short of true democracy. Some are not classified as “free or fair” due to issues with election administration or limited freedom of speech and association. For instance, countries like Russia use elections as a mere facade to maintain authoritarian or corrupt regimes. Meanwhile, Brazil, India, Indonesia, and the United States are categorized as “flawed democracies”. These nations conduct elections that are free and fair but still grapple with weaknesses in their political systems.
Mask of choice
In most countries, the so-called ‘choice’ boils down to just two parties, and their policies aren’t significantly different, especially concerning foreign affairs. It’s more of the same: capitalism, neoliberalism, ‘law and order’ (to safeguard the ruling class, not us common folks), foreign aggression, and neocolonialism.The things that matter in this country have been reduced in choice, there are two political parties, there are a handful insurance companies, there are six or seven information centers…but if you want a bagel there are 23 flavors. Because you have the illusion of choice!— George Carlin, comedian and social criticDemocracy talks about the system of representation, but in reality, it’s about political parties. A system where you choose between 2, either this or that. Even that also many times doesn’t matter.Neither the Labour Party nor the Conservatives in the UK offer substantially distinct policies. In fact, the supposedly left-leaning Labour Party, under Keir Starmer, seems determined to outdo the Tories with right-wing conservative stances. Starmer’s Labour party even claims it will emulate the famously neoliberal New Labour, but “on steroids.”In the US, the rhetoric may differ between Democrats and Republicans, but substantial policy changes that truly benefit ordinary people are unlikely. A democratic presidency didn’t prevent the rollback of abortion rights in many states, with devastating consequences for women and those who can become pregnant, although they talk about that.
Without lies, democratic parties die
Most of the time political parties don’t fulfil what they promise. They just lie to get the votes. They blame others for their own incompetency. That’s what happened in Nazi Germany, they blamed Jews for everything wrong.Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it.— Joseph Goebbels, Reich Minister of Propaganda, Nazi GermanyWe believed in that lie, and we voted on that basis.
Tyranny of the majority
Even if you win with a majority, what about those others who don’t agree with you? Are they represented, are their voice being heard?In our current democracy, the majority rules. Many voters feel their voices are unheard, leading to apathy and disengagement.Hitler came into power democratically. He established his authority by manipulating the majority and oppressing the minorities. 6M Jews were killed almost legally.The Hunger Games of Elections
First we need to address that democracy is not a rule of justice, it’s a rule of majority. And yet it’s manipulative. You can even get into power without getting the majority support, due to our election system.In USA, they made corruption legal, in the name of lobby. Gudge, who was politically appointed can give politician’s green pass. Just between 2007 and 2012, alone the 200 most politically active companies in the United States spent 5.8 billion dollars influencing your government those same companies got four point four trillion in taxpayer support. And that is just 200 companies, there are also special interests, unions, trade associations, and billionaires doing the same.In the past century, only 1 in 3 of the UK’s Prime Ministers came into power in a general election. Researchers say that only 0.2/0.3 percent of white and ultra-rich party members choose the PM. Since 1935, 90% of the time government got into power without winning a majority vote. Furthermore, the system gives no chance to the small parties, due to the FPTP system.
India, the so-called biggest democracy doesn’t have democracy either. Indian politicians win elections in the name of religion and caste. They win elections through propaganda and Muslim hatred. The current government of India has complete control over the media. Regional newspaper markets are highly concentrated, with a few powerful owners, some of whom have strong political affiliations. Even some popular TV news media are directly owned by politicians and their families. And most are controlled with the help of business tycoons. And to hide the connection of political parties with these tycoons they introduced an electoral bond in 2018, which was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of India. The government put journalists, activists and critics in jail with no charge sheet with help of laws like UAPA.Money talks, policy walks
In many democracies, money can distort the process, leading to policies that benefit the rich and powerful. Big donations to political campaigns buy access to lawmakers, resulting in tax breaks for the wealthy, deregulation, and corporate subsidies.The media, dominated by wealthy owners and advertisers, often reflects their interests, leading to biased reporting and limited public discourse. To counter this, we need stricter campaign finance regulations, transparency in lobbying, and empowered citizens holding officials accountable. These steps can help create a more equitable and representative democracy.
A Struggle for True Democracy
If this is democracy, it’s a failure. It's time for a new vision of democracy, we need to reimagine democracy for the 99 percent, not just for the 1.by Katharina Buchholz
