Democracy is the defining achievement of humanity. The representation of the intellectual evolution of a complex species. The erosion of the simplistic notions of natural selection survival, and transition into a self-aware community of living organisms.
Ancient Period
Originally, created by the Athenians circa 5000 BCE, this form of government is a rare occurrence throughout human history. The dominance of authoritarianism, aristocratic societies, autocracy and theology (fundamentalism) is a common theme throughout modern and ancient human history.
The Ancient Egyptians, the primordial civilization, redefined the meaning of innovation. The Great Pyramids, agricultural reformation on the Nile and promotion of trade. This kingdom exercised structuralism exclusively through theism. The Pharaoh, the living representation of the gods, enforced the laws of the metaphysical forces through a centralized government.
The Ancient Roman Empire tweaked this blueprint with a few minor changes. The polytheistic premonitions and subservient population remained. Whilst political power channeled through the Emperor, acted as the executive branch in an autocratic world. This provided the catalyst for the rise of slave-based economies, free trade and feudalistic societal organization that would dominate Europe for centuries to come.
In an economic sense, the eternal love for the centralized distribution of power in a government system is a tantalizing prospect. This encompasses the narrative that a single entity can control the outcome of several situations. Thus, in the event of an undesirable situation., the ‘visible hand’ can reallocate resources in order to maximise output for society.
As the fruits of authoritarianism became clear throughout the ages. Its success and prominence grew with each generation. Exaggerated by lack of education, largely agrarian communities, familial inheritance and militarization of national borders. A vicious cycle developed that could not be broken by subservient populations. Many would see authoritarianism as prosperous for humanity, a necessary sacrifice for the survival of ‘enlightened’ civilisations.
The Ancient Greek society, the birthplace of modern philosophy, literature and arts. As the supreme outlier in the Athenian times, developed a revolutionary concept. A representative democracy. A concept so civilized in a time dominated by realist policies of strength and might over national enemies. However, deeply flawed by the restricted representation of women, disabled and marginalized in society.
As a fleeting light in the tunnel of time in the ancient period of human civilization. The Ancient Greek society dissolved into the authoritarian whirlpool of war. The Macedonians, Persians, Romans and numerous other sovereign states eroded the fabric of the democratic society. As mighty rulers assumed control of the autonomous Greek governments and transformed them into a puppet of more powerful empires.
Modern Period
Despite the appraisal for the Enlightenment and Renaissance era in the late Middle Ages. The real source of change for the governance of humanity was the Industrial Revolution.
The manufacturing phenomenon of the 17th Century is the primary catalyst for the drastic transformation of human civilisaitons. Compounded with the innovations of the electricity, telephone and superior modes of transport (trains). The Industrial Revolution became more than a dynamic, post-Ancient era for human intelligence in manufacturing.
A redefinition of the structure of the global economy. The agrarian dominance in the Ancient times were soon to be forgotten. The value of the working class would increase astronomically as their skillset became invaluable to the manufacturing process. The feudalistic system of farming in the Western European nations would slowly dismantle as the lower classes became more educated and skilled in society.
The arrival of the ‘middle class’ indicated a shift in the power distribution within society. Most notably the power of the elite became diminished as the need for innovative, intelligent and productive workforce to meet the demand of industrialization became apparent. The sovereignty of the populace became imperative to the progression of society. No longer did the elite possess the supreme sovereignty to decide the future of civilisation, rather the individual possesses one’s own sovereignty.
Contemporary Era
Hence, the post-modern era of the digital world that is intertwined in a globalized economy. The rights of the everyday human are enshrined in the legal documentation of national constitutions and sometimes in ratified ‘Bill of Rights’. Not to mention, the implementation of statutory law that prevents discrimination, stereotyping, slavery of any kind, defamation and involuntary marginalization of peoples.
These rights and freedoms represent the victories over a timeless battle between the impoverished ‘middle’ and ‘lower’ class and the elite. The implementation of modern democracy is a testament to the progression that humans as a network of intelligent beings have made. The very ability to decide one’s own future is a gift and privilege. Modern representative democracy with limited restrictions on access for citizens is the very foundation of this moral philosophy.
The executive, judicial and legislative branches act as ‘checks and balances’ for modern democracy. The various parliaments across sovereign lands are bound by the duty to debate the acceptance of ‘bills’ into legislation in often multi-party systems. The complimentary legal institutions uphold these laws in the form of hearings, trials and appeals that are bound by a jury or appropriate representative. Whilst the executive branch binds the population together as the pinnacle of leadership and responsibility for those less fortunate in society.
The federal, state and regional governments are autonomous and decentralized to disperse the influence of the elected and unelected officials in the public domain. Therein, not one parliament can dislodge the proceedings of another without due course.
However, despite the innumerable amount of freedom individuals as private entities retain in contemporary society. There is an alarming rise in authorial institutions that blatantly disregard and undermine the values of democracy.
The increased influence of the executive branch in Australia is a particular concern for those with keen political eyes. The development of a ‘National Cabinet’ in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis is a very bright red flag. The cabinet has the full ability to implement social distancing restrictions using the ‘Public Health Orders’ supported by the ‘Public Health Act 2010’. The procedures associated with the legislative branch are effectively rendered useless. Under the guise of the priority of public health.
This begs the question of: when do we classify a situation as a ‘public health’ crisis? This is normally deemed by the executive branch itself, on the orders of experts in the field. This represents a conflict of interest since a crisis only provides the executives more power. The lack of independent oversight by a committee that represents the population is a severe flaw.
A possible solution is the implementation of a ‘postal vote’ system for situations that may invoke a ‘national emergency’ or ‘public’ crisis. This would transfer the power from the executive branch to the population through the legislative branch. Clearly, the value of expert opinion would need to be accounted, however the final decision should be laid at the feet of the population, rather than unelected officials.
To make this point even more potent, we can attribute some of the core values of the Covid-19 crisis to ongoing issues within society. For instance, the public health domain can be contrasted to the digital domain of the World Wide Web (WWW). This is a public domain that has its own set of rules and is loosely government by the legislative branch.
The development of the internet has led to the invention of social media platforms. These platforms are designed to provide a medium to express individuality in a real-time context instantaneously. Despite the promotion of these entities as merely platforms, they have incorporated ‘community guidelines’ that act inauspiciously as laws for the digital society. These guidelines, like the organization of modern society, are enforceable by a judicial committee and created internally by senior stakeholders. Since these stakeholders do not represent the public, rather its profit-maximizing stakeholders. This set-up is more akin to an oligarchic society.
Since social media plays such a pivotal role in the cohesion of human civilisation. The fact that these platforms invoke the authorial notions of the ancient and pre-modern times is a concern.
The Future
Humanity has struggled with an imbalanced distribution of power since the dawn of time. This balance has become more even since the Industrial Revolution. However, there seems to be a shift again towards elitism.
The rise of conglomerates such as Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Apple, Nike and Disney (and many others) is macrocosm for a greater issue within the ‘new’ era of society. These companies are not bound by the democratic laws that maintain the freedom of individuals in a dynamic world. Not to mention, the increasing centralization and militirisation of the executive branches of government.
Whilst broadcasting channels will continue act in their own self-interest and fail to provide an effective platform to voice these concerns. It is inevitable that the elite will become integrated into the bowels of the IT and public institutions that dominate the decisions made in the globalized world today.
The true question remains: are we too late to stop it?
Daniel Dell’Armi
Live Your Story 