Democracy in action in the US and UK

The media coverage, both in the main and social media on the ongoing impeachment investigation of US President Trump, and the parliamentary and Supreme Court censure of UK Prime Minister Johnson are quite pervasive and extensive, we tend to question its relevance or is it just because we are so information-tech connected that we can’t avoid it.

For world leaders, politicians, Law/Political Science students, and social scientists, these happenings are very important, but it should also be important for ordinary citizens as it affects the form of government and the manner of governance in their countries. The issues of freedom of speech, accountability, conflict of interest, and transparency are ventilated and discussed in both the US Congress and the UK Parliament and by the informed citizens of these countries in all media.

In the US, the telephone call of Trump to the Ukraine president where he asked that Biden, his potential opponent in the coming 2020 US election, be investigated while withholding the military/economic aid to Ukraine, and the possible cover-up of this conversation triggered this impeachment investigation.

This is on top of other investigations regarding Trump’s tax returns, his promotions of his hotels/resorts business while in office, and the Russian interference in his favor in the 2016 elections. In the UK, Johnson’s unconstitutional suspension of the Parliament and his refusal to negotiate an economically palatable exit of UK (Brexit) from the European Economic Community, got him five rebuffs from the parliament and a rebuke from the UK Supreme Court. His brother and sister even disagreed with his position.

These ongoing events have significant political implications not only in these countries but also the world. It is a demonstration of how a mature democracy works. Democracy is difficult and not an easy way to govern as it is contentious, argumentative, and involves many publics.

But it also addresses the people’s aspirations for freedom, justice, and truth. Only 50% of the countries all over the world have functioning democratic governments while the other half are authoritarian/totalitarian governments. And there are continuing struggles, as can be seen in the current demonstrations in Hong Kong, Jakarta, Russia, Haiti, and some African countries. There are, also demonstration by the young people in the Scandinavian countries, Canada, New Zealand, Philippines, Australia, and the US for environmental concerns. These are demonstrations for freedom/liberty and for responsible governance.

In the light of the rise of populist leaders all over the world in the last few years, what are the possible long-term or endgame ideological resolutions? There is a natural tendency for national leaders to increase and consolidate power and become autocrats in their belief that it makes for faster and more effective governance and also for personal satisfaction. Current examples would be Turkey’s Erdogan, Syria’s Assad, Venezuela’s Maduro, China’s Xi, Russia’s Putin, and the recently deceased Mugabe of Zimbabwe.

These countries are in varying stages of economic and social success or failure. There is also the natural inclination and tendency of the governed, especially the enlightened citizens, to protect their liberties and demand for good governance from their leaders. Education and availability of information plays a big part in this citizen activism, so the advent of social media will be a positive factor as fake news will eventually be negated by more information.

Morality and religion are also involved in this ideological struggle as ethical and moral teachings are biased towards democracy. Liberty and social justice are also necessary ingredients for long-term peace, the pursuit of happiness, and the possibility of rewards in the afterlife in most religions.