- The global community, regardless of their respective countries’ economic standing, primarily wishes to enjoy freedom, independence, and unrestricted access to express views/counter-views without the government of the day interfering with restrictions. A democratic form of governance alone cannot provide this level of liberty. Other states of power, such as autocracy, aristocracy, totalitarianism, authoritarianism, military rule, and despotic rule, have imposed undemocratic restrictions on citizens. Thus, a democratic form of governance is desired not only by every citizen around the world but also by those who want to ensure that administration runs as smoothly as possible with the Constitution as a guiding light.
PC: File
- Look no further than the Indian democratic system, which is not only well-known for its vibrancy and sustainability despite challenges to the very fabric of functioning from a variety of sources but is also the envy of several countries wishing to replicate the form for the benefit of citizens. However, the dangers to democracy posed by power-hungry leaders seeking to usurp everything democratic and impose their despotic views remain. This is where the interdependence of the Constitution’s three pillars comes into play. Consider what is happening in Israel, whose very existence is based on time-tested democratic credentials, amid surrounding fundamentalist countries clinging to medieval practices.
- Despite months of massive protests, Israel’s far-right government passed the first bill of a judicial overhaul package limiting the powers of its Supreme Court to overrule government decisions it deems unreasonable. PM Benjamin Netanyahu has hailed the move – and others to come – as an effort to rebalance the various arms of the Israeli state and reclaim power for the government and parliament. His detractors accuse him of attempting to overturn future judgments against himself on corruption charges for which he is on trial. All of this means that Israel’s image as the only modern democracy in the Middle East has suffered dramatically. In any case, the matter has polarised Israeli society, including its security and intelligence forces.
PC: Mostafa Alkharouf
- Even military reservists have threatened not to report for duty if the law stands. Of course, Israel’s Western allies aren’t too pleased. The US has condemned the move to limit the judiciary and urged Israel’s opponents to reach an agreement. Furthermore, all of this political wrangling is harming Israel’s economy. According to Israeli media, $4 billion had fled Israel as a result of the judicial reform crisis by February. There is also concern about a tech talent exodus; 11% of Israel’s labor force is employed in the high-tech sector, and many of them have taken to the streets in protest. The events in Israel demonstrate once again how foolhardiness, as well as the whims and fancies of misguided leadership, can destabilize democracy. A wake-up call for all democracies.
