Understanding liberalism and pluralism
The problem with democracy and an elected representative system is the people do not vote on these laws. The elected representatives do. And there is no guarantee that the elected representatives will vote according to the wishes of the people. Most times they will vote according to their self-interest or according to the wishes of the party leaders.
NO HOLD BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin
There appears to be some confusion as to the meaning of liberalism and pluralism. PAS Youth have actually labelled these concepts as a cancer while the Selangor religious authority has issued a decree that those who uphold these concepts are deviants, meaning heretics.
Liberalism: A political theory founded on the natural goodness of humans and the independence or sovereignty of the individual and favouring civil and political liberties, government by law with the consent of the governed, and protection from arbitrary authority.
Pluralism: A condition in which numerous distinct ethnic, religious, or cultural groups are present and tolerated within a society.
Under the concept of liberalism, people are free to choose and to decide their own destiny. However, people are not free to choose to violate the law. So even liberalism has its boundaries and it is not what we would call anarchy.
Anarchy: Absence of any form of political authority, government or laws.
Liberalism in an anarchy system is a free-for-all. It is the survival of the fittest. It is the law of the jungle. The Old Wild West would be a good example where the fastest gun rules the day.
In a democracy, liberalism is allowed but is bound by certain laws that make sure that your liberty ends where my nose begins. In other words, you are at liberty to choose but not at liberty to harm others.
The other thing that many Malaysians do not understand is the concept of democracy.
Democracy: A government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives.
In a democratic system where the people elect representatives to represent them in government, the people basically transfer their rights to these representatives and mandate them to pass laws on their behalf. This can also mean that the people have lost their rights and even if their elected representatives do the wrong thing the people can do very little until the next general election when the people can kick out these elected representatives.
The problem with democracy and an elected representative system is the people do not vote on these laws. The elected representatives do. And there is no guarantee that the elected representatives will vote according to the wishes of the people. Most times they will vote according to their self-interest or according to the wishes of the party leaders.
Now, what happens if the elected representatives vote in favour of outlawing liberalism and pluralism? Well, then liberalism and pluralism will be declared illegal and there is nothing you can do about it.
And read again the definition of liberalism and pluralism (above) and consider what you are going to lose if these concepts are not tolerated or allowed in Malaysian society. But if the majority of the elected representatives decide to do away with liberalism and pluralism then that is democracy at work and would be something you have to accept in the spirit of democracy.
So, I ask you again, for the tenth time, is democracy really that great after all? Under a democracy your rights can be removed and it will still be legal.
