"Democracy to which most of these parties declare their commitment cannot be successfully practised without maintaining a high standard of discipline among members of political parties that assume responsibility for ruling the country periodically. The bane of this country, in fact, has been the failure on the part of political parties to conduct themselves in accordance with the cherished principles of democracy," Photo: Champika chief editor of the Daily MirrorBy: Champika Liyanarachchi
(October, 05, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The swift action taken by the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) against three members for alleged misconduct sets a good example for other political parties also to follow in maintaining discipline among members of their parties.
The party in a statement issued on the Puttalam fracas says that its National Organizer K.A. Baiz who is Deputy Minister of Livestock Development and two SLMC provincial councillors S.H.M. Niaz and M. Yehiya from Puttalam, have been suspended till the party takes a final decision regarding their conduct in the violent incident in Puttalam on September 23, when a dispute on distributing material to the displaced persons arose. The statement says SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem, SLMC General Secretary Hasan Ali and several seniors visited Puttalam and obtained information about the incident. Thereafter the party High Command, having discussed the matter, has taken the decision to suspend the three members pending a full inquiry into the incident. The damage done to the party had been given special consideration at the party deliberations, the statement says expressing regrets over the incident.
At a time when other political parties hesitate to take action against their members who indulge in various violent and illegal acts, not to speak of fraud and corruption, that bring disrepute to themselves and to the party and cause confusion among the public, the SLMC should be commended for its prompt action. It is indeed through such quick action that discipline could be maintained among members of political parties or of any other organisation.
Democracy to which most of these parties declare their commitment cannot be successfully practised without maintaining a high standard of discipline among members of political parties that assume responsibility for ruling the country periodically. The bane of this country, in fact, has been the failure on the part of political parties to conduct themselves in accordance with the cherished principles of democracy.
They often practise what is described as fig-leaf democracy and the way some of the party members conduct themselves betray the fact that they are only accidental democrats without proper understanding or appreciation of the fundamental principles of democracy. In fact, it is not easy for a politician to function on true democratic lines even if he or she makes an attempt because the prevailing political culture militates against such unprincipled conduct. Even good democratic politicians are compelled by circumstances to succumb to unprincipled ways.
The political parties’ over-anxiety about preserving their unity and strength in the present competitive struggle for achieving power or preserving it makes party hierarchies extend very tolerant attitudes and even offer patronage to members who flout discipline in their political and personal conduct.
Some party leadership develops oligarchy tendencies and takes decisions without proper intra-party discussion and debate on policy matters. Party finances are not properly and transparently managed. This makes it possible for the leadership to divert party funds to unauthorized and illegal ventures. It is this unchecked use of party funds that leads to corruption and malpractices at most elections. The absence of real democracy within parties also paves the way for the so-called secret pacts and agreements. The democratization of our political parties has, therefore, become an urgent need today. It is mainly on the basis of popularity, money, influence and relationships that party chief organisers for electorates are needed. His or her education, character and other attributes are not taken into account.
The ideal democratic leader, of course, should be a philosopher endowed with qualities such as impartiality, simplicity, magnanimity and trust. It is only when such leaders rule the roost that the country would be able to move away from the present parlous state. The problems of nations, as Plato says, will persist until such time as rulers become philosophers or philosophers become rulers. It is futile indeed to expect such a phenomenon to take place here. But if the political parties make a genuine effort, the quality of the present political leadership could be improved at least to a tolerable degree. The absence of democracy in political parties invariably has its effect on all other spheres of activity in the country. Media institutions and personnel are among those that have to suffer the impact.
(Editorial of the Daily Mirror -2007-10-06)
(October, 05, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The swift action taken by the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) against three members for alleged misconduct sets a good example for other political parties also to follow in maintaining discipline among members of their parties.
The party in a statement issued on the Puttalam fracas says that its National Organizer K.A. Baiz who is Deputy Minister of Livestock Development and two SLMC provincial councillors S.H.M. Niaz and M. Yehiya from Puttalam, have been suspended till the party takes a final decision regarding their conduct in the violent incident in Puttalam on September 23, when a dispute on distributing material to the displaced persons arose. The statement says SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem, SLMC General Secretary Hasan Ali and several seniors visited Puttalam and obtained information about the incident. Thereafter the party High Command, having discussed the matter, has taken the decision to suspend the three members pending a full inquiry into the incident. The damage done to the party had been given special consideration at the party deliberations, the statement says expressing regrets over the incident.
At a time when other political parties hesitate to take action against their members who indulge in various violent and illegal acts, not to speak of fraud and corruption, that bring disrepute to themselves and to the party and cause confusion among the public, the SLMC should be commended for its prompt action. It is indeed through such quick action that discipline could be maintained among members of political parties or of any other organisation.
Democracy to which most of these parties declare their commitment cannot be successfully practised without maintaining a high standard of discipline among members of political parties that assume responsibility for ruling the country periodically. The bane of this country, in fact, has been the failure on the part of political parties to conduct themselves in accordance with the cherished principles of democracy.
They often practise what is described as fig-leaf democracy and the way some of the party members conduct themselves betray the fact that they are only accidental democrats without proper understanding or appreciation of the fundamental principles of democracy. In fact, it is not easy for a politician to function on true democratic lines even if he or she makes an attempt because the prevailing political culture militates against such unprincipled conduct. Even good democratic politicians are compelled by circumstances to succumb to unprincipled ways.
The political parties’ over-anxiety about preserving their unity and strength in the present competitive struggle for achieving power or preserving it makes party hierarchies extend very tolerant attitudes and even offer patronage to members who flout discipline in their political and personal conduct.
Some party leadership develops oligarchy tendencies and takes decisions without proper intra-party discussion and debate on policy matters. Party finances are not properly and transparently managed. This makes it possible for the leadership to divert party funds to unauthorized and illegal ventures. It is this unchecked use of party funds that leads to corruption and malpractices at most elections. The absence of real democracy within parties also paves the way for the so-called secret pacts and agreements. The democratization of our political parties has, therefore, become an urgent need today. It is mainly on the basis of popularity, money, influence and relationships that party chief organisers for electorates are needed. His or her education, character and other attributes are not taken into account.
The ideal democratic leader, of course, should be a philosopher endowed with qualities such as impartiality, simplicity, magnanimity and trust. It is only when such leaders rule the roost that the country would be able to move away from the present parlous state. The problems of nations, as Plato says, will persist until such time as rulers become philosophers or philosophers become rulers. It is futile indeed to expect such a phenomenon to take place here. But if the political parties make a genuine effort, the quality of the present political leadership could be improved at least to a tolerable degree. The absence of democracy in political parties invariably has its effect on all other spheres of activity in the country. Media institutions and personnel are among those that have to suffer the impact.
(Editorial of the Daily Mirror -2007-10-06)
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