BACK in 2008 when the monarchy was overthrown in Nepal, a friend there excitedly exclaimed, ‘Now we will have democracy!’ I tried to warn him that democracy does not just happen overnight; that it requires a lot of work and nurturing and then a lot more work.
A common chant at marches and rallies in the United States is: ‘Show me what democracy looks like!’ to which the response is, ‘THIS is what democracy looks like!’ Which is to say, democracy is not a spectator sport. Democracy involves many different activities beyond voting and hoping that elected politicians will act in the public interest. Democracy involves people shouting in the streets and carrying signs. It involves people reading the newspaper and occasionally writing a letter to it, and to their politicians, to let elected officials know what they want. It involves people organising events and attending meetings and working together to build the political system they want to see. In short, democracy functions when there is an educated and active citizenry.
From my experience living in both the United States and Bangladesh, it has often seemed that, despite some notable caveats, democracy was, in many ways, stronger in Bangladesh. In the US, until recently, too many people took their rights for granted. People put their heads down and worked hard, caught up in the individualistic, consumerist lifestyle that Americans are so fond or promoting. There has long been a common dislike, even disdain, for politics. Corrupt politicians profited from the general unconcern, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) had little success fighting for their rights given the lack of interest in their issues among the mass citizenry.
That situation has changed, now that it is increasingly clear that Americans cannot take democracy or respect for the Constitution for granted. The daily trampling of the rights of BIPOC has now extended to a broad swath of the population. There are the blatant violations of the Constitution and lack of respect for the courts; the mass kidnappings and forced deportations, even to other countries and in unbelievably inhumane conditions. People have finally woken up. Movements can take time to build, but millions of people are taking to the streets, calling their politicians and seeking solidarity in the fight against authoritarianism.
In Bangladesh, the situation has felt quite different. Here too the majority of people are uninvolved in politics. But I could not help but be impressed by the throngs of men standing outside reading newspapers pasted to walls and actively discussing politics. All kinds of people have come together with a banner and some placards and, at minimum, gained some media attention to their issue, attention which at least occasionally has led government officials to pay attention and make positive changes.
Yes, in addition to those little issues about elections, there have been significant gaps in Bangladesh as well. There has, arguably, been too much focus on NGOs. But NGOs need funds to operate, and those funds can come from sources that are more interested in maintaining the status quo than in creating a more equitable system. Those men standing on the street reading the paper, or crowding into coffee shops and around kitchen tables, may greatly enjoy arguing among themselves about politics, but are not necessarily involved in any more concrete way. And most women are too busy with domestic chores and on earning money to have much time for politics.
Phrases like ‘Nothing good will happen here’ or ‘Bangladesh toe’ or ‘Everyone’s corrupt, what to do?’ are not helpful. When those who care about fighting the climate crisis, preserving the environment and prioritising public health over corporate profits stay silent or simply bicker on the sidelines, those who act purely from selfish motivations are able to dominate the system. And then the predictions of bad results will of course come true.
Feeling disdain for politics is not productive. Learning to organise is essential. It also allows you to meet other like-minded people and to thrash out together some positive solutions. So the next time you find yourself complaining about the failures of democracy or of leaders, remember—it is not enough to complain to your family and friends. You too can raise your voice, get involved and help steer the country in a good direction. Only when more people raise their voices and organize their communities will democracy thrive. And then maybe you can teach the US a lesson or two.
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Debra Efroymson is the executive director of the Institute of Wellbeing, Bangladesh.
