Our Democracy is in Decline – Are We Noticing Too Late?
Our Democracy is in Decline – Are We Noticing Too Late?
September 7, 2024
For years, and indeed since the beginning of this year, I have been warning with increasing urgency that our democracy is on a slippery slope. I’ve compiled these concerns in my book Dissent is Democracy. It was a way of saying, "I rest my case." I felt misunderstood for a long time. However, in recent weeks, I have heard echoes of dissent in the media, particularly from one journalist on his news show. Yet even that coverage seems limited.
What caught my attention recently was when Mercelina, a Staten (Parliament) member, was relegated to the opposition benches. In his remarks, he raised concerns about the erosion of checks and balances, warning that our democracy is increasingly becoming dictatorial. This sentiment was echoed by a leader of a political party who explained how the new Public Finance Act (Comptabiliteitswet) is slowly stripping power away from Parliament and centralizing it in the Council of Ministers, particularly with the Minister of Finance.
Then, on the front page of the Antilliaans Dagblad on Friday, De-cember 6, the headline read: "Bonden bezorgd; CGTC stelt herstructurering kabinet-Pisias voor" (Unions Worried; CGTC Proposes Re-structuring Cabinet Pisias.) The article highlighted concerns that the cabinet governs unilaterally and authoritatively without respecting the country's legitimate institutions. In the Extra of September 7, Faneyte of PAR also expressed his concerns about the deterioration of our democracy and the rule of law.
I thought to myself: ja, je gaat het pas zien als je het doorhebt (yes, you only start to see it once it’s already happening). The question now is, will we act in time to prevent further decline? Or are we already too late?
The warning signs are there, and they have been there for a while. What is troubling is that more people are beginning to voice these concerns, but only now, when the erosion is becoming undeniable. We must remember that democracy is not just about voting; it is about maintaining the systems of accountability, the checks, and balances that prevent any one branch or individual from holding too much power. When these systems begin to fail, democracy turns into something else — something far more dangerous.
As citizens, we need to be vigilant. We must not only listen to the voices of dissent but also act upon them. Dissent, after all, is a fundamental part of democracy. Without it, we lose the ability to correct course, and once lost, democracy is hard to regain. Let us hope it is not too late (Goede, 2024).
Miguel Goede
FCA, Independent NED, Hospitality Specialist, Author & Photographer
2 个月Completely agree
Executive Consultant, Strategist and Civil Aviation Specialist
2 个月“We must not only listen to the voices of dissent but also act upon them.” This statement emphasizes the importance of not just hearing but also responding to differing opinions and criticisms. It suggests that true progress and improvement come from acknowledging and addressing the concerns and suggestions of those who may disagree or offer alternative perspectives. By acting on these voices, we can foster a more inclusive, dynamic, and effective environment, whether in a workplace, community, or any other setting. It is a good approach to ask every political party to present plans (new elections) that specifically handle this issue, so we can benchmark their efforts in fostering inclusivity, diversity, and equity. The community should now know beforehand what to expect from these parties and hold them accountable for non-compliance.