Liberal Democracy Returns

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

Yonky Karman

Our democracy has thus far experienced the deficit of giving birth to many politicians, but too few statesmen. Ideally, from one election to another, state administrators should comprise increasingly qualified statesmen (competent, with integrity). However, power-hungry politicians have cut the linear correlation of time and quality.

Whether it is acknowledge or not, we are trapped in a liberal democracy. Not only those with a lot of money, but also others that can fire up politicized issues. Populist issues are being manipulated to change the views of the masses, to trigger primordial emotions and to dull common sense. In speech, we condemn liberal economy, but our political behavior follows liberal democracy.