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Democracy is still our best bet

While I accept politicians can get things wrong and even sometimes act in their own interest, this does not lead me to question the democratic system of government.

Is there any system that is better? A democratic process gives citizens of a country at least two very important rights. The first is the right to determine through elections which party should govern. This decision is based on each party promoting its policies, candidates and leader to enable voters to make an informed decision. The party receiving a majority of the votes gets to implement its programmes.

The second is the right a democratic process gives the voting public to dismiss a government. While this may seem to take time in some cases. Nevertheless, this is what the democratic process produces in New Zealand, which is one of the oldest democracies in the world.

There are other endearing features of a democracy that are not guaranteed by any other system of government.

I have not yet understood, as a new Member of Parliament, why so many people hold politicians in contempt. If my role is judged by the reactions of many constituents who visit my office and find someone who listens to their concerns attentively and offers solutions to their issues, I wonder what they would say about politicians and trust.

If we are judged by the reaction we receive when we attend events, visit organisations and respond to the issues raised with us, I would have to believe that they find us helpful and relevant to their lives.

However, if all politicians are judged by the actions of a few who transgress the expected standards, then many good people would have to be damned by the actions of a few.

It is therefore illogical to judge the democratic system of government by the actions of a few politicians. Our defence of democracy is based on a rock-solid belief that there is no better system of government. But we will not defend the actions of those politicians who feather their own nests. On the same token, we should not condemn all democracies because some have failed.

I find those who condemn the democratic system of government never suggest an alternative but base their arguments on some failed democracies and some unscrupulous politicians. In New Zealand, politicians generally do not deserve labels like “vultures”, “hijackers of democracy” and as “people who place their personal interests above that of the nation.”

I am happy with criticisms of some of the democracies named in the Indian Newslink guest editorial (July 15) but take no consolation from the comment that even some priests cannot be trusted “with your dime or your daughter.”

A little more care and less hyperbole would be helpful.

The above Guest Editorials, written by Labour MP Dr Rajen Prasad, does not reflect the views of Indian Newslink. Readers are welcome to respond to editor@indiannewslink.co.nz

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