Democracy Creates Stability

"Tyranny of the majority" often comes to mind when democracy is discussed. Hence, some fear that this tyranny may result in a gradual build-up of discontentment among the minority. The very fabric of society would unravel should there be any trigger that enrages the minority. As a result, the minority has to be taken largely into consideration. This measure is absolutely necessary in order to prevent conflict and violence. However, there are some who argue that conflict need not actually be something that society fears.

Historian G.W.F Hegel once said that to every thesis, there will be an antithesis, only then can there be a synthesis and progress can take place. In other words, opposition and conflicts are in fact part of the cycle that eventually leads to improvement and progress. Yet, is conflict really the promoter of progress?

Taiwan’s political and economic standstill is a perfect example of what conflict can do to society. Their plight is a testament to the need for a clear majority in government. “We have swung from one end of the political spectrum to the other. From authoritarian rule to no authority at all,” was what Professor Kuan Chungming of Academia Sinica, Taiwan’s leading research institute, had to say about the country’s political state. Taiwan’s main problem is that there is no clear majority in government. The opposition camp often boycotts bills initiated by the ruling camp, leaving the legislature log-jammed. Recent bickering over a proposal to amend the make-up of a key lection committee has stalled the debate over the government budget. As a result, all public projects had to be put on hold and society cannot move on. As long as there is no clear majority to hold power in government, the socio-economic standstill cannot be solved.

Conflict leads us nowhere, as the Taiwanese situation clearly exacerbates. However, does democracy actually bring about conflict?

Personally, I feel that this “tyranny of the majority” is absolutely necessary. Along with majority comes power, the power to decide and the power to implement. At any time, only one group of people can hold this power in society. Only then can society progress without conflict among groups of people as the minority would be too weak to provide any opposition.

Opinion is somewhat subjective and the people in society who make up the minority can gradually be won over. Most of the time, it is just a matter of time and persuasion before a change in mindset. Take Singapore for an example. Why is it that the PAP can maintain their status as the ruling party election after election? Simply because the people are convinced that the PAP are responsible and can run our nation well.

Hence, the “tyranny of the majority” is actually not much of an issue towards society. What really matters is that society and the economy can progress smoothly without much deliberation. That is what democracy gives us and that is why it creates stability more than anything else.

497 words