Do we really value our local democracy?
For anyone who even randomly follows the news will know
that Hong Kong has been embroiled in demonstrations for
months. These sometimes bloody demonstrations initially
started as a result of a proposed Extradition Bill whereby
there would be special arrangements (and "mutual
assistance") for the extradition of fugitives to China. Many
in Hong Kong were suspicious, especially how it could be
easily misused. As a consequence many in Hong Kong took to
the streets to get that Bill to be withdrawn.
There are
five demands of the protesters:
1. The withdrawal of the
Extradition Bill - finally achieved!
2. Implementation
of universal suffrage (one vote, one person) and an
independent judiciary
3. An independent probe into the
use of force by police
4. Amnesty for arrested
protesters
5. Ceasing to call and categorise the
protests as riots
I am filled with admiration for these protesters, the millions who come out each and every weekend to send a clear signal to the Hong Kong Government and to China of their demands. I am inspired by their resilience and ability of this leaderless movement that uses the catch-phrase "Be like water". Be like water is precisely what has confounded the authorities as the movement has been able to coalesce, change shape, remould and then disappear as the heavily fortified police appears.
I am humbled at the high value they have placed upon democracy and the desire for inclusive and meaningful participation in decision making in their communities and territory. It is a high reverence indeed when you hear protesters state that without freedom life has little value, and that they would indeed make the ultimate sacrifice for that ideal and that freedom. This is very reminiscent of the sacrifices made in the formation of our democracy that we now take for granted. But on the streets of Hong Kong, in the 21st century, this same cry has gone out again.
And, in New
Zealand...
Keeping that thought in mind I turn
my attention to the state of our democracy in New Zealand
and our less than energised enthusiasm to even participate
in our local body elections.
In the interests of transparency, I need to make it clear that I'm standing as a candidate for the Greater Wellington Regional Council. So, I'm probably viewing this from a slightly different perspective than most.
What I see are two ends of the spectrum. A country that has universal suffrage and the ability to shape their lives and their communities, and a territory denied the right to vote and an inability to have full self-determination. When I look at our declining turnout, from 56% in 1989 to 43% in 2016, it leaves me with the question about how much we value our democracy.
Will our apathy towards participation mean that over time our rights will become eroded? And, will that mean that those who are elected by the minority, feel emboldened to pass laws and by-laws that adversely affect the rights and well-being of people and local communities.
Why
are we not as engaged with our democracy?
Some
would say that politics has been captured by the pale, male
and stale brigade. But that is not a satisfactory answer,
and in fact is rather a glib and thoughtless response. There
is no prohibition on being nominated to run as a candidate -
and I recognise that can be a daunting challenge, and
something I would have found difficult to do when I was in
my 20's.
Others will offer the theory that younger people are just not interested in voting, or know how to vote. While there is some reasonable and anecdotal evidence to support this claim, there is no actual data to validate it. This is because we don't collect that data when people vote. What we do know is that there is a lower rate of enrolment for younger people.
Having said that I do believe that younger people don't vote in the same numbers as older people. I don't necessarily attribute that to there being insufficient younger candidates seeking election (just look at how Bernie Sanders, a 78 year old politician, has inspired great sways of younger people in the United States, showing that it's the message and not the messenger). There is something more.
I think we can attribute the lack of
participation in local body politics down to four key
points:
1. The message, what people stand for and
the channels of communication: Fixing drains and
pot-holes are important, but that's not really what inspires
people from diverse backgrounds to vote and participate.
It's about what candidates stand for, their values and the
inclusiveness of their message. The fact that a person is an
accountant won't carry the day, it's about how they make
decisions, their ability to connect and prioritise people,
communities and the environment. Perhaps candidates need to
focus upon who they are and their ability to connect and
collaborate and bring others into the
fold.
2. The distinct lack of interest by the
media: It seems that the media displays a real lack
of interest in local body elections. The media were once
regarded as the fourth estate, but that title is now
undeserved. The fourth estate recognised the ability of the
media to analyse, advocate, critique and hold to account
other aspects of our political system. Now it seems they are
the servants of it and their interest is only piqued to
highlight the unusual or the exceptional (I do take my hat
off to some tenacious journalists who have covered local
issues). But the real stories are often to be found in the
layers of the mundane and ordinary. My question to the media
is this: Where are you in examining and critiquing the
candidates and what they stand for? Where are you in
explaining the issues to your audience? Is it all just too
boring to cover?
3. The lack of education about
democracy: Admittedly there is information about
our democracy. But, how well does this penetrate into the
curriculum of our schools so younger generation of voters
can understand how it operates and how they are able to
participate and effect change? Further, how accessible is
our democracy to those who have migrated to our country and
are keen to fully participate and bring their strengths into
our communities and democratic
institutions?
4. Changes around the structure of
society: Our society has radically changed since
the early 80's- often not with our consent. Our lives have
become increasingly busier and complex with the need to
provide for our families becoming our singular concern. In
fact, participation in our democratic institutions may be
seen a luxury that many cannot afford.
Will we be
protesting in years to come for the right to
participate?
The more voter turn out drops the
more we run the risk of having our councils and the
decisions they make being determined by the minority of
those who vote. When that happens it will inevitably result
in decisions that fail to be made in the interests of people
and local communities, and will also fail to reflect the
role of Councils and Councillors as stewards of our
resources, assets and of the environment.
Our bus network problems were big, as was the consequence of decisions taken that filtered out the needs of people and communities. Problems such as this will pale into insignificance if we allow our participation to decline. We might then have a deeper appreciation why the people in Hong Kong are fighting to be part of the decision making process.