Re: What is democracy?
Democracy is democracy and will always be Government of the people, by the people, for the people. I however doubt there is a consensus globally as to how to define democracy, but yes I would like to think that legal equality, political freedom and rule of law should be cornerstone of any democratic set up. Different regions then manipulate these fundamental democratic principles to suit their cultural norms and we start to seeing a manipulated version of an ideal democracy.
I dont know but somehow I feel that in subcontinent, masses are deeply emotional and still have a strong tribal sense and therefore always tend to follow and worship personalities above any democratic ideology whatsoever. Their version of religion, their version of political leader, and their version of caste/bradari/community system will supersede any democratic principle.
Once they commit to a certain political personality, they fantasize him or her to be a supernatural creature who is not capable of making any mistakes and everyone else on this planet is plain evil in their eyes. They will love their leader forever and yes there may be few years when passionate followers will sit quiet as they are disappointed from their leadership but sooner or later they will come back for their beloved leader or his party.
That is why ghandis, sharifs, bhuttos, altaf hussains, hasina wajids always remain in picture. No democratic lecture will change their loyalties and they really dont care. For example, once zardari dies and balawal takes full charge, you will see PPP’s rebirth in punjab especially in janoobi punjab. It is same cycle in india for congress .
You knew nothing , Shareefs are only N$ , you will see them away very soon . Altaf has no family , Gandhis are Nehru family ,