Filtered Kapi Newsletter#4
Democracy or Autocracy, where are we headed?
There is a theme to this week’s newsletter - In the age of the pandemic, Democracy or Autocracy- where are we headed?
The pandemic does not discriminate between people, it is the response of government’s which does. In times of crisis leaders’ true intentions can be deciphered.
Here’s what has made the world seem off balance recently with some of the world’s leadership taking centre stage.
The People of Philippines v/s President Duterte
Prioritizing an Anti-Terrorism Law over COVID-19 response signals, that shoring up power is more important than public health. The timing and urgency of the legislation has faced stiff opposition from social media communities seeking to protect their right to have a dissenting voice.
Duterte seems to be following the not-so-secret formulae to becoming an Autocrat, first- repeat and reinforce a strong man ideology; for example the people need saving from drugs, second- create fictional enemies in the form of rebels disrupting government initiatives, third- undertake a power grab, fourth- silence voices who oppose your ideology , fifth- flex your muscle by strengthening forces loyal to you. Kaboom we have an Autocrat.
Taiwan’s Tryst with Truth
Very few countries can boast of a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.
From 1947 to 1987 the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) regime ruled Taiwan with an iron fist. Memories of atrocities such as “White terror” in which thousands of civilians were massacred are fresh in the minds of Taiwanese.
Now an electoral victory gives the then-opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) control of both executive and legislative branches for the first time since the suspension of martial law to form a commission to look into the atrocities committed and bring the oppressors to justice.
It is an uphill task given the sway still held by KMT. The families of the victims believe the commission is a step in the right direction.
Time will tell whether justice will be delivered or was it just another promise.
Grey clouds passing by Hong Kong
Tall, muscular and strikingly beautiful buildings, housing hard-working people, who have a steely determination to change their own lives. This is how I understand Hong Kong.
The future of Hong Kong is tied to China. The passing of the national security law has deepened the divide between the two countries.
Politically the city stands between India and China; that is, it does not have complete voting freedom but can express its opinions freely. Now with China reeling it back into the fold major protests and backlash are seen in the horizon.
The challenges the city faces are unique but the ramifications would reverberate throughout the world. As a conduit to China for the world and vice-versa, her voice is worth fighting for.
There doesn't seem to be much certainty in the world these days and that makes the world seem all topsy-turvy.
However, when the world is topsy-turvy and the future is riddled with uncertainty; when uncertainty is the only surety, we embrace everlasting positivity.
We were born in a peaceful world full of hope for a better future, now are we working towards peace or straying further away from it?
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