Orwellian democracy

Of all the socio-political and administrative models that have evolved over time, democracy has emerged as the most inclusive and egalitarian political project. It has earned unmatchable acknowledgement in modern times. Courtesy to its pluralism, where everyone’s say counts, democracy is the most sought-after political order in the world today. This is because its implementation has ushered in an era of socio-economic and human development never before witnessed in countries around the world. However, it must also be noted that democracy has failed to deepen its roots in many post-colonial countries. Instead, totalitarian tendencies have crept into the socio-political fabric of these countries.

In a real democracy, the public alone is the powerbroker. However, democracy in post-colonial societies has morphed into an ugly Orwellian system where the axis of ultimate state power has shifted to the democratically cloaked political and military elites. In such societies, democracy serves as a legitimisation system for the powerful. The plight of the common man serves as fodder for elite megalomania. The intellectually dwarfed masses are easily tempted by tantalising populist and pseudo-nationalistic narratives. They therefore find it hard to question or challenge the status quo. Over time, the deprived masses become desperate because of the repeated hollow promises made by politicians and the ruling class. The elites use this desperateness to gain political authority through paid public support. Those who lavishly flow money and earn the backing of chief powerbrokers make it to the power corridor. However, there is still a fear that the masses would disapprove of them and subvert their Machiavellian power. To curtail their fear, the elites use a clever method of threatening the privileges of the people by promulgating suffocating policies that reduce prospects of growth. To further tighten their stronghold, they paint these suffocating state laws along ethno-nationalistic, jingoistic, patriotic and religious lines so that calling them into question could amount to treason or heresy. This strongly fortifies their power.

After fully securing the reigns, they amass public assets and devour national resources to such a hideous extent that their coming generations could idly thrive on it. To conceal their heist, they shift their ill-gotten wealth far beyond public sight and access. For this purpose, most of them get foreign nationalities so that they have a backdoor emergency escape. In order to maintain the status quo, all power brokers bargain, share and co-sponsor each other’s respective realms of influence. They forge symbiotic relationships with each other and alternatively ascend to the power corridor to claim their “fair” share of public assets. They also teach their children the entire process so that generations of these elites keep on subjugating the masses. It is therefore clear that democracy in backward societies favours the rulers more than ruled. The rulers, along with their henchmen, build luxurious castles with the blood, sweat and tears of the masses.

Democracy in developing countries serves merely as a subjugating tool — a ploy to earn legitimacy through “free and fair” elections. The empowered class, aided by bureaucratic henchmen, keep on reaping the rewards with impunity for generations. In this backdrop, only two things can put democracy back on track and safe society from the brink of disaster: the descending of heavenly angels as saviour from God, or class consciousness and enlightenment. Since the former is a utopian dream, the latter is the only viable option that we, the people, can work towards.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 29^th, 2022.

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