Like people, like Government

Dr Lojita Khaidem *

Assembly building as a component of the Capitol Complex at Chingmeirong, Imphal in February 2013 :: Pix - Bullu Raj

In an interview, Prof. Archon Fung,a scholar of Citizenship and Self-Government at the Harvard Kennedy School said “I think one of the main threats to democracy is us — we the people, broadly speaking. It is unclear that citizens really are comfortable with the way democracy actually works.”

Democratic government is supposed to have a government of the people, by the people and for the people and when government policies are seen to reflect people’s ideas, needs and preferences. The key question here is whether it is fair to always blame the government for the quality of governance? Or if citizens also need to understand their responsibilities and roles in the process?

This raises the idea that good governance is not just the responsibility of the government but also of the people. While the government must be held accountable, citizens should also be active, informed and engaged in the political system.

They must understand their duties—like voting, participating in civic life and holding leaders accountable. Therefore, achieving good governance requires effort from both the government and the people working together.

A Responsible Citizen

In a simple word, we can say that a responsible citizen is someone who knows his/her rights as well as duties. The belief that liberty is merely casting a vote and feeling part of the national discourse presents a simplistic view of freedom. While participation in elections is important, true engagement in democracy requires deeper understanding and involvement.

In today’s complex political landscape, meaningful civic engagement goes beyond just voting; it demands informed, active participation to ensure that democracy reflects the true will and needs of the people. Most of the time people deviate from the core issues and start focusing on secondary things. People need to understand and should be able to identify the issues which actually hamper the development of the state.

In context of Manipur citizenry is largely been a passive onlooker towards the current situation of power-driven game of conflict and corruption. Its focus deviated towards issues concerning little or no real interest for the common ground such as showing keen interest on someone’s personal lives.

Every one of us have different political ideologies and support different political parties. By being a responsible citizen, it means focusing less on party lines. It is essential to reflect on how our political beliefs may lead to the oversight of significant issues or perspectives. By recognizing our inherent biases, we can engage in more constructive dialogues and develop a deeper understanding of diverse viewpoints.

We are all tempted to believe and endorse ideas that conform to our political orientations. But being a responsible citizen also requires listening to those who have different viewpoints and perhaps more importantly asking whether those conforming ideas are true or whether they simply make us feel good.

The most effective way for a democratic society to address its major social issues is by welcoming diverse opinions and thoughtfully considering them in a fair and rational manner. For instance, regarding the ongoing Manipur conflict instead of throwing stones at each other because of political ideological differences, people should analyze and discuss the situation and try to make a rationale decision or demand an end to the conflict.

Again, a vital part of being a responsible citizen is actively supporting and protecting the democratic values. This brings up an important question: why do so many people fail to come together and condemn political violence and intimidation? Because speaking out against these acts is important for several reasons.

First, it will help in strengthening the core principles of democracy which rely on the rule of law and peaceful conflict resolution. When citizens reject political violence, they show their commitment to a system where differences are settled through discussion, not force. Second, when people condemn violence, it helps protect those involved in democratic activities like election workers, public officials and citizens.

Political intimidation can scare people away from participating and harm the fairness of elections. A united response against violence creates a safer environment thus encouraging more people to get involved.

Lastly, public outrage against violence can pressure political leaders and institutions to take stronger action against these threats. When citizens demand accountability and the protection of democratic values, it pushes leaders and law enforcement to respond more effectively.

Government and People

People should be able to see the government through the lens of good governance. In the long run, a government reflects the people it represents showing both their wisdom and their flaws. The saying “Like People; like Government” suggests that the decisions and actions of a government are shaped by the values, choices and behaviors of its citizens.

This idea challenges the belief that voting alone is not enough for true freedom, pointing out that many people may see voting as their only role in governance. If citizens make wise decisions, their government is likely to reflect that wisdom. But if people make poor choices, the government will often mirror those mistakes.

Another main threat to democracy is political and public leaders who care more about gaining and preserving their own power than defending democracy and as a result, beat up our democratic institutions. But we should remember that governments exist by the consent of the people.

So, governments that fail to protect the rights of the people and promote the public good can be replaced with new governments. In the end, this perspective highlights the strong connection between the people and their governments showing that citizens have a key role in shaping the outcomes of their governance.