Democratization of Growth in our Institutions

Friday, 02 September 2011 00:00

Written by Aaron Benedict De Leon

“There is strength in numbers”… “Money can buy everything”…

These are the cliché’s which would encapsulate what the general public feels about Philippine Politics. More so, it echoes a sad truth about the spate of Philippine society, a fragmented value system brought about by extreme poverty. Because of these existing conditions, many have either used this to further abuse the already downtrodden, and to give false hope for the sake of popularity and political expediency. This is also the very reason why young people, and why even the more competent ones, evade leadership roles in society and in politics.

In 1986, many said we were able to reclaim the democracy we have lost when Ferdinand Marcos took over the reigns of the country. But until now, I still feel that democracy is still wanting in many areas. Poverty rates skyrocket each year, as living standards continue to worsen. Democratization in terms of Economic Growth, in terms of Economic Opportunities, in terms of Economic Resources, remains wanting in the supposed Democratic Era.

True, the apparatus for a free media, for a freer government, for freedom of speech and expression has been restored, but overall, do these mechanisms sufficiently dignify the living standards and value of Filipinos?

The democratic front we have been made to understand does not capture the entire spectre of Philippine Society. More so, we have been made to believe that democracy works for everyone.

A glaring question I think is more appropriate at this time would be, “How has democracy worked in the not so noticeable areas of Philippine life?”

In the side streets, how many innocent students/civilians have been singled out by a syndicate group’s desire to earn money in illegal means? At home, how many children were not heard because parents feel a sense of superiority over them when it comes to life? In the offices and schools, how many ideas were not heard because bosses feel their experience will always be above bright thoughts? In government, how many competent candidates were not elected because they don’t have the money and machinery that others have?

If true blue democratization in its entirety really exists, then why is opportunity rare for those who deserve it?

Can we say that power and number has dictated how democracy would work in Philippine Society?

I think the answer is as obvious as the ending of a daily telenovela.

This is the perfect opportunity for us to think how we would be able to reverse the trend, and make democracy more inclusive, cutting across all genders, sectors and social strata.

I think we must first assess how we look at the problem. A lot of people tend to be too macro about our Philippine Democratic Issues, where as down up mechanisms would be the more convenient way to go.

The way to go is to break down the problem institutionally.

All of us share one thing in common- we all have families. Thus, the nurturing of our young democracy should begin at home. Before we can enact change in our society, we have to change our own. The development of an individual begins at how he/she is treated at home. There should be a way for all of us to influence the way parents and children think about their roles at home. A parent should never dictate upon his/her child the direction which his/her life is going to. Meanwhile, a child should never ask absolute freedom from his/her parents. Growth begins at home when parents and children alike dialogue about the best way to go about parenting and becoming a son/daughter.

Beyond our homes, we live in schools and offices which serve as our second home. The nurturing of our young democracy should be continued beyond the comfort of our homes. Over and above experience and age, the only way change can have a stronger root is for us to uphold the culture of the rule of law within the institutional boundaries set forth. To uphold means to be conscious and vigilant about our rights and responsibilities. There must always be a space in any institution for any person to communicate his/her issues and concerns through formal channels. Authorities must acknowledge the right of each individual, without prejudice for values outside of those set forth by the institutional law.

Our focus need not be too grandeur, too totalitarian, because if we continuously think as such, not only will we fail, but we will further contribute to the restlessness and hopelessness that exists amongst many people in our society today.

It is also too individualistic too say that “Change begins and ends with me”, because we are social beings, and do not exist on our own terms and conditions only.

The democratization of growth should be made to be the highest core that every individual, every Filipino should nurture and uphold, not for any other because, for it is the standard that makes our existence and humanity completely whole.

For democracy to inclusively work for all, all of us have to grow together, under one set of values, under one cultural rule of law.