Daily Times

In defence of human rights, the term “workers’ paradise lost” was extensively used by western democracies in the 20th century. Now, the tide has changed; democracy has been hijacked by the establishment and the people’s power has been lost. The democratic future of mankind is in the lurch. The world order has to be re-assessed and re-aligned before it is too late.
“Change we must” was the slogan of candidate Barack Hussain Obama but as president he opted for the war room despite widespread opposition from his electorate. Acting as Bush’s poodle, Toni Blair led the UK to war in Afghanistan and Iraq against the wishes of the Brits. He not only lost his premiership, his party was also humiliated at the ballot box. People the world over represent change while the establishment strives for status quo. In the 21st century, indirect democracy has failed. Elected representatives are unable to stand up to the establishment and deliver on the promises made to the people. Slogans like globalisation, privatization and de-regulation have created universal chaos with a skewed distribution of wealth, resources and opportunity.
Switzerland is perhaps the only country under direct democracy. People participate in decision making through Cantons. There is no standing army; every citizen is trained to defend the motherland. It has one of the strongest economies and is the most desirable place to live. The people of the world have to take back control from entrenched establishments and their supported, vested interests. Mass movements of the 21st century in Pakistan, Egypt and Ukraine relied more on human than gun power. Hopefully, revolutions, unlike in the 20th century, will not come through the barrel of the gun.
The last century was bloody. There were wars, revolutions and struggles with the collapse of the mighty Soviet Union, and it was widely expected that true democracy would be the new world order. Instead of failed workers it would be “people’s paradise” where their will would prevail. Freedom became the new buzz world. It was believed that ballot, not bullets, would carve the destiny of mankind. The future seemed bright and peaceful but it has been the other way around.
I remember as a student in the 1980s I had the opportunity to drive through Marshal Tito’s Socialist Yugoslavia. The country was peaceful and inexpensive but lacked modern banking and commerce facilities. Rent for a reasonable motel room was around $ 10 and a sumptuous dinner cost two dolkars but the most interesting part was that the same quality food was served to factory workers in their lunch break. Due to lack of personal incentives the service was poor but the quality of products was outstanding. The same is true in the People’s Republic of China. State enterprises are looked up for quality and value. The state takes responsibility for its people and provides them the proverbial roti, kapra, makaan (food, clothing, shelter), education, healthcare, employment etc.
Till today, the development of China remains on track. The country has produced the largest pool of trained work force that is productively employed. The trade surplus runs in the trillions of dollars. Government facilitates and the people deliver. Then there was the realisation to bring in the private sector, which has produced its own challenges. The number of billionaires in Beijing now exceeds the count in New York. There is a widening gap between the rich and the poor that is worrisome for the Communist Party. Compared to the Soviet transition, the Chinese have been able to contain the turmoil and confusion of change and transition. Russia opted for fake democracy while China still pursues its single party system with countrywide representation in the People’s Congress.
Democracy is all about freedom. Participation is the key for its success. Politics, policy and the police have their origin in the Greek word polis (city). People formulate policies while the police secure the environment for its implementation. It is not just the freedom to vote but also to govern effectively.
Thaana (police culture) politics were introduced by Ayub Khan, continuing through various brands of the Muslim League, the founding party of Pakistan. In the first awami (people’s) rule (1971 to 1977), the police went on strike in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as their authority was being challenged. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and the two young governors, Khar and Sherpao, stood their ground. Finally, an ultimatum was served to them: “return to work within 24 hours or face the axe.” They all came back within no time. Till today, the PPP remains an anti-establishment pro-people party.
Sham democracy has taken away the freedom from the people to elect their leaders who should serve, not rule. Free market, free press, free ballot have all failed to break the economic stranglehold of the rich and powerful, both within and amongst the nations of the world. While workers’ paradise was lost in the 20th century with the fall of the USSR, people’s paradise does not exist in the 21st century as promised because capitalism has failed to deliver.
Work started on the Statue of Liberty in September 1875 and was completed on October 28, 1886. It is the symbol of democracy and freedom with an inscription: “Give me liberty or give me death.” Around the same time Karl Marx presented his communist Manifesto in which he claimed that capitalism is the exploitation of labour. He died in 1883 and is buried in High Gate Cemetery in London. On his tombstone it is inscribed: “Workers of the world unite, you have nothing to lose except your chains.”
Freedom without exploitation can only be ensured by truly participative and not sham democracy. From the marketplace of Athens to the cantons of Switzerland, democracy worked because of the participation of the people. The governed govern themselves in the 21st century; it is a bottoms up approach that works for the common good.

The writer is ex-chairman of the Pakistan Science Foundation. He can be contacted at fmaliks@hotmail.com