From delusion to loss of faith in 'democracy'

If that's not surprising, the more worrisome implication from the opinion survey was the growing feeling among Thais that even their very faith in the idea of "democracy" may be under threat.

A significant number of those who responded to the questionnaire are apparently growing disillusioned with the prevailing political system - and it doesn't matter what you call it.

The underlying fear is that no matter how the upcoming constitutional amendment debate ends, national reconciliation won't materialise because the very rationale behind every political grouping's push for the charter changes is nothing more than its selfish motives to ensure their competitive advantage in the next election. What's worse, the ongoing parliamentary debate on "political reform" (whatever that means for the general public) may even make things worse. The prevailing divisiveness could deteriorate into another round of open confrontation over details of the proposed amendments. None of the parties concerned can avoid being accused of pursuing their own hidden agenda.

That menacing scenario seems unavoidable, since there is a clear absence of a general consensus over what constitutes the real purpose of this exercise. Who defines what the "public interest" really means in this attempt to "reform" the country's highest law?

The all-important social mechanism through which the various public pressure groups can make their diverse voices heard, and strike legitimate compromises, has broken down. Any attempt to fix it has been drowned out by the cacophony of the heated arguments put forward by the reds, yellows and blues.

But the rest of us feel increasingly left out, and betrayed. The promise of democracy has turned into a free-for-all among the political vested interest groups rather than a process through which differences can be settled based on the rule of law and moral values. Instead of a campaign to raise the awareness of the public, we have witnessed the victory of money politics, a steady erosion of political ethics, tyranny of the majority, and mob rule.

"Democracy", used by the warring parties as a facade to justify their respective pursuits for the right to rule, has been trampled upon with little concern for what it really represents. Instead of engaging in a healthy debate on the best way to get the country back on its feet, the various political groupings choose the simplistic and dangerous tactic of pinning "yellow" and "red" labels to split society. Their aim isn't to iron out a solution for the country. It's to win at all costs, and to crush the "other side" to pieces, regardless of how costly it is to the nation.

That, of course, isn't what democracy is all about. And, as a result, a growing number of Thais are beginning to lose faith in the collective ability of the leaderships on both sides of the fence to face up to the real challenge of upholding the principle of a democratic system that, above everything else, puts the country before self.

It's sad but true: The upcoming constitutional amendments won't enhance "democracy" as we know it. Neither will the next election strengthen the people's confidence that we are back on the democratic track. Whatever the outcome of the much-touted hype about "fulfilling the people's wishes", the Thai people's faith in real democracy has been shaken to the core.

The protagonists in the ongoing political war may have their own reasons for destroying each other. But when they manage to kill people's faith in the very foundation of a genuine democratic system, that is inexcusable.