The Future of E-Democracy in Crisis? - Mang Vaiphei

DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTs allow people to help set the law to which all must adhere, and have a say in the direction of their lives and work. This fosters a broader respect for peace, fair play, and compromise. Autocrats impose arbitrary rules on their citizens while ignoring all constraints themselves, spurring a vicious circle of abuse and radicalization.

Today, it is democracy that finds itself battered and weakened in the state of Manipur. For the past several consecutive years, according to freedom in the world, countries that suffered democratic setbacks outnumbered those that registered gains. States that a decade ago seemed like promising success stories are sliding into authoritarian rule. The world’s most powerful democracies are mired in seemingly intractable problems at home, including social and economic disparities, communal issues, hate speeches and an influx of dissents that has strained alliances and increased fears of the “other.”

Today, democracy is in crisis. The values it embodies particularly t
he right to choose leaders in free and fair elections, freedom of the press, and the rule of law are under assault and in retreat globally.

Today, democracy faced its most serious crisis in decades as its basic tenets including guarantees of freedom of speech and expressions, the rights of minorities, freedom of the press, and the rule of law came under attack in the state of Manipur. Safeguarding human rights and democratic space in the digital age has become more crucial than ever.

Today, worst of all and most worrisome for the future, young people, who have little memory of the long struggles against fascism and communism, may be losing faith and interest in the democratic project. The very idea of democracy and its promotion has been tarnished among many, contributing to a dangerous apathy.

Democracies generally remain the world’s wealthiest societies, the most open to new ideas and opportunities, the least corrupt, and the most protective of individual liberties. When people around the globe are asked about their preferred political conditions, they embrace democracy’s ideals: honest elections, free speech, accountable government, and effective legal constraints on the police, military, and other institutions of authority.

Today, the challenges within democratic states have fueled the rise of populist leaders who give short shrift to fundamental civil and political liberties. The spread of antidemocratic practices around the world is not merely a setback for fundamental freedoms. It poses economic and security risks. When more countries are free, safer and more prosperous. When more countries are autocratic and repressive, treaties and alliances crumble, nations and entire regions become unstable, and violent extremists have greater room to operate.

*via social media*

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