"The most elemental component of democracy is the election. It is through this process that representatives are granted authority to exercise power within the society. Power acquired in this fashion has a legitimacy that is difficult, if not impossible, to obtain through any other means. The more legitimacy the government has in the eyes of the governed, the less force is required to ensure their capitulation. This inverse relationship between legitimacy and coercion is what establishes the general benevolence of democratic systems, which is ultimately democracy’s most attractive characteristic.

However, for this grant of authority to be authentic, the election process must take a very specific shape. First and foremost the selection of representatives must be made freely and without coercion. Ensuring that it be so requires that certain other elements be present within the society. For example, a truly free choice cannot be made in the absence of information. Thus, restrictions on information access must be minimal. Likewise, free choice cannot be made under the threat of force. Therefore, there must be limits placed on the government and other interests within the society that prevent them from compelling agreement through force. “ - TTN

I got this off the website, “Threading the needle” and it seemed very relevant for Bhutan especially with ALL the recent events. Enjoy reading!!

“If it weren’t for wrestling with my conscience,
I’d get no exercise”

In addition to the above, here’s also something from ‘Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander’ by Thomas Merton, New York: Doubleday & Co, Inc., 1968 edition, p. 100-101......

“It is no exaggeration to say that democratic society is founded on a kind of faith: on the conviction that each citizen is capable of, and assumes, complete political responsibility. Each one not only broadly understands the problems of government but is willing and ready to take part in their solution. In a word, democracy assumes that the citizen knows what is going on, understands the difficulties of the situation, and has worked out for himself an answer that will help him to contribute, intelligently and constructively, to the common work (or “liturgy”) of running his society

“For this to be true, there must be a considerable amount of solid educational preparation. A real training of the mind. A genuine formation in those intellectual and spiritual disciplines without which freedom is impossible.

“There must be a completely free exchange of ideas. Minority opinions, even opinions which may appear to be dangerous, must be given a hearing, clearly understood and seriously evaluated on their own merits, not merely suppressed. Religious beliefs and disciplines must be respected. The rights of the individual conscience must be protected against every kind of open or occult encroachment

“Democracy cannot exist when men prefer ideas and opinions that are fabricated for them. The actions and statements of the citizen must not be mere automatic “reactions”-mere mechanical salutes, gesticulations signifying passive conformity with the dictates of those in power.

“To be truthful, we will have to admit that one cannot expect this to be realized in all the citizens of a democracy. But if it is not realized in a significant proportion of them, democracy ceases to be an objective fact and becomes nothing but an emotionally loaded word.”

I like your ideas of democracy. I am not political person nor want to be. But I want my people to enjoy the full benefit of Democracy not to play like puppet into the hands of our selfish political leaders. I want to see every Bhutanese citizen’s voice will be heard. I want to see my people worshipping any religion without any fear from RGOB. I want to see every citizens of Bhutan expressing thier opinion through any media without any fear of arrest. I want to see every child having oppertunity of education.
Keep on posting such articles so that eyes of our people will be opened to see the world of today
Good Luck Jobzam

what the hell, jobzam=brokpa33…
u guys are sick from the very core of your life. how sad, i pity you and ur typos!

I merely quoted two people who had their ideas on what was most important to democracy; that being every citizen’s right to freedom of thought and speech which is also very clearly mentioned in our constitution. There must also be a level of tolerance for every citizen’s concerns. Just because you don’t like what you hear does not mean it should not be said. I’d rather be informed and unhappy than blissful in ignorance; because sooner or later, you may be asked to act and doing so without any sort of preparation might just leave you in a shit hole. 

Anyway, I would expect our new Govt. to analyze all concerns and based on the analysis to make decisions for the country. I would also expect the Govt. to have the courtesy of explaining to the public why certain activities or concerns are or are not being addressed. After all the new Govt is to be elected “by the people, for the people”.

I also truly believe that all past misunderstandings occurred because there was not enough dialog between the various parties. And by dialog, I mean both parties expressing their concerns and needs and discussing together the next best course of action. And in certain cases (as there always is), if any party defaults on it’s commitments, I would expect that there be evidence of the decisions (an agreement) with proof that it was not signed under any duress.

Then people like us can make informed opinions based on the facts, instead of slinging mud at or blindly supporting each other in our ignorance. We are humans and blessed with the ability to think; let us make the most of it!

........And in that line, I would like to know, Oness, what you so disliked about my two earlier posts? Brokpa33 clearly mentioned why he liked my post, perhaps I can encourage you to give me an objective opinion, so that I can improve. Waiting to hear from you…

Keep on posting such ideas Jobzam. We need Journalists in Bhutan who can speak out the heart cry of people in remote villages. Who can express the heard cry of general public. who can expose the corruptions going in Govt offices. Ones thinks that he knows everything and thinks that I am from Jhapa. Let ones know that I am in much better place and position than he/she. Bhutan is spoiled just because we have so many stupids like Ones who just argue with people. Bhutan is still one of the poorest country coz our govt offices are filled with people like Ones.