DEMOCRACY UNDER CHALLENGE

DESPITE democracy enshrining the best principles of politics there is invariably space for those voted into leadership, or lurking in the wings, to be a far cry from an optimal choice.

Or far-right ideology, hurled into the rubbish-tip after World War II, may start sweeping through decent countries. Three of the most prominent democracies in the world are thus affected at the present time.  The wrong people can cause a lot of damage. I have said before - and madalas have special permission to repeat themselves (lol) – that there are learned colleagues better placed to present and analyse most aspects of the local Eswatini scene. I’ve gone offshore. This time in a boat. Sailing of course, to cut down on greenhouse gases, and across the part of the Atlantic Ocean that will always remind some of us of the tragic Donald Crowhurst. May his soul have found peace.

The main democracy under inspection here is the United States of America (USA), arguably the greatest country on the planet, judged by the unity and prosperity it has achieved domestically for its 50 states, and the generous support it has shown to countries in trouble. But politically, the USA is a bit of a disaster at the present time. It does seem as though Americans of real ability – and there are plenty of those – avoid politics like the plague.

The two candidates for the top job of president would be low down the batting order in any selection process. One is an alleged criminal now significantly protected by a controversial Supreme Court decision. The other candidate is past his sell-by date, with recent public performances clearly confirming that. Voting is largely party-based. You cross the floor only in sheer desperation for a conspicuously better choice. But there isn’t one. Admittedly, a USA president is supported by highly skilled advisers but he’s still the guy who presses the nuclear button. And the one who needs to make an impact with other leaders, including those from Russia, China and North Korea. You would be forgiven for asking the question – how can a credible political system produce candidates of such low calibre?

Elections

Please jump into that (virtual) boat and sail back across the Atlantic to Europe where the outcome of two elections – in the long-established democracies of France and the United Kingdom – has turned normalcy upside down. Many eyebrows are rising, and chins getting scratched. Democracy in France is a mess. In a two-round election, the National Rally (RN) party won the first round easily, warning the country of the prospect of having the first far-right government since it was occupied by the Nazis in the Second World War; and possibly a 28-year-old prime minister! The RN party is clearly anti-immigration and judged broadly, though not entirely accurately, to be indirectly encouraging racism.

Well, the centrist and left-leaning parties then combined in a ‘balloon-popping’ surge in the second round of voting, to win the most votes, but with no clear majority. This leaves a hung Parliament, no party governing outright, shaky alliances and the threat of turbulent years ahead. Current President Emmanuel Macron and his party had failed to impress the French people, came second, will not govern as before but he, himself, will remain as president for three more years. Democracy wins but political paralysis looms. Former Waterford teacher and popular musician, Ben O’Connor, took me (in a friendly manner) to task recently.

‘Ease up on Rishi,’ he said, perhaps suggesting I’d been too critical of the UK prime minister; especially following Rishi’s departure from the D-Day commemoration to attend a TV interview. Rishi Sunak and his Conservative (Tory) party last week suffered a landslide election defeat. Rishi did not deserve that but his party had ploughed through three prime ministers in 2022 and, furthermore, no UK party ever won five elections in a row. UK politics have turned sharply left. That is a lot better than far-right. But mischief also played a significant part in the UK election.

That mischief is a new characteristic, emerging in some democracies. It is bully-boy tactics, carrying the trademark of bold and often erroneous statements. Start with Donald Trump, include Robert F. Kennedy Jnr (more on him in a fortnight) and most recently the arrogantly flamboyant Nigel Farage, a powerful EXIT voice in the UK’s BREXIT campaign and now known as the “Tory-slaying machine.” His words and growth in rough-stuff popularity contributed hugely to the Tory defeat. Farage’s Reform UK party won very few seats but took a massive number of votes that previously went to the Tories. What’s he up to? A takeover of Tory leadership after a post-election Tory/Reform partnership?

He was purely a destructive force, ironically advocating conservatism but without the Conservatives. He claimed last month that he’s needed to help Donald Trump ‘stop World War III’ – code among Trump supporters for allowing Russia to defeat Ukraine. Farage stated that Putin was ‘provoked’ into invasion by Ukrainians who sought closer allegiances with the West. These are Trump-style tactics: say something outrageous, so people talk about you for days. Though not damaging his personal election performance, these Putin-sympathising comments by Farage did backfire. And so they should. Ukraine is a sovereign state and noone’s slave. One good thing about a genuine democracy is that the bully-boys ultimately get judged fairly and accurately. But they can do more than a bit of damage in the meantime.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: