Political Parties and the relationship with the people!

"Dictatorship naturally arises out of democracy, and the most aggravated form of tyranny and slavery out of the most extreme liberty" Plato

I am not against Democracy in it self; but rather the situation of democracy in our little nation of Maldives. We have come from authoritarian rule to this democracy almost over night. The multi party election and the election of a democratic leader happened within the mere span of 5 years. It is not surprising that the rule of the democratic leadership was brought to an end by a Coup' D'etet. The dictator called upon the international community saying that he refrained from democracy as such for the "people were not ready". While i cannot agree with this argument, I also have to accept that democracy is now on it's brink today, once more in Maldives. The opposition is fighting for a majority in the Parliament to push a vote of no confidence against the president. The government coalition is determined to hold majority to suppress the opposition. The political turmoil leaves the people of Maldives in a fragile state as they are forgotten and left disappointed.

The political parties were designed to be representing the common people of the country and bring forth their needs and come up with solutions to make lives easier and better for the people. Too soon our politicians forgot their true intentions and was quick to make a profit for themselves. Being such a small nation of approximately 343,000 people, we have a Parliamentary representative for almost every 5000 persons and in 2014 we have 82 parliamentary positions to be filled; on March 22nd. The government has more than 200 political positions. Then there are the Public Private Partnerships companies and the Utility Companies and Government Trade organisations and independent bodies that the politicians elect persons for and the Courts and other institutions. All in all, the politicians amount to a large percent of the total population hence the benefits of the high salaries and medical insurance programs that the lay persons do not receive, could very well be tempting. Hence it is fair to assume that the number of political appointments works in favour of the Ruling party for then they can control these posts and also tie in their friends and family along as well. 

Today, as the independents compete for the parliament, they are often ridiculed by the Government coalition as being irrelevant or rather opposition to the states good intentions towards the people and the opposition parties see the independents as a insignificant, saying they have no real power in a democracy. But is not democracy about the will of the majority? 

Too soon we are loosing our focus and aim of a democratic state. Too soon have our statesmen become businessmen or playmates for the rich. Too soon are we forgetting that the bigger picture is not about people but ideas. It is not about preventing a dictatorship forming, nor is it about electing a specific party. This election elect persons who you see will benefit your constituency, across the partisan lines. No colours, no parties! For unless the both the governing and the opposition work for the benefit of the people, the democracy we seek will not come to be. We shall remain in a deadlock where it costs the people, their finances and time and lives. The failure of a government is the failure of the opposition party as well. Political apathy is developing for these reasons. Some say that Plato was right about a Republic rather than a Democracy. This is why some people say a fair authoritarian might work better for the people as it did in Singapore. I for one am sceptical as to go so far.There is hope via education and awareness. Once the people show their fairness in electing good people and statesmen for the parliament then we shall move towards a better democratic society.