Democratic Theocracy

by Eko Prasetyo @ 1:00 PM Again, Ken has make me itchy to post an article regarding his article : "Democracy or Theocracy" Ken's view of Theocracy somehow hinting that his take for it is that Theocracy is somehow will spawn Fascims. Well, if the his theocracy is somewhat like the Catholic Kingdoms in the era of Inquisition, it is true that it's Fascisme at its worst image. Theocracy tends to lean toward fascism cause they are very much the same: based on ideology, tends to have hyperbolic jargons, rely on ideology minded puppet soldiers, and somewhat totalistic and intolerance. Well, Ken, I prefer some Democratic theocracy. It has the same "people choose leaders" spirit of democracy, but with more rigid and somehow less liberal frames than current modern democracy. It's very much aligned with how Islam views governmentship. The leader is the one chosen by the people, not picked up from a dynasty. The leader must adhere to the religious codes. He will expect his people to do the same. This Democractic theocracy is already supported by the religous economic system (muamalah) and wealth-sharing system (zakat), so it will not constitute some man-made inflation based economy. In a true Islamic theocracy, believers of different faiths must be protected and allowed to thrive, provided they do not break the laws set by the theocracy. State will not interfere with their beliefs nor coercing them to embrace the national religion. They will not be forced to convert. Punishments will not given because of difference in faiths, but because breaking the common laws. But they are ideals. In this world of everchanging events and underhanded conspiracies and made-believe realities, ideals like that above are laughing stocks of people. But the same people who laughs, realized that the ideals must not be allowed to gain power, because if they do, the laughing folks will be diminished. They are based on lies and deceipts, one which can't stand against the light of truth and justice. In the face of truth that have been staying dormants in everyone's hearts, they are nothing. But lucky for them, truth stays somewhat dormant or weakened. The current democracy model rely too much on popular voting system, which can somehow be subverted via monetary, journalism, and academic capitals. If the citizen of a democratic country realizes that in theirs are the true controlling power, they may be able to somehow weaken the subversion done by capitalism. But in majority, most of citizen's democratic moments are when the election season kicks in. In other times, they are just statistics without any real powers. In the end, I agree with Ken's view: Democracy is the recognition that all people are equal at birth, and that all people have the right to find happiness in their own way, so long as they do no harm to another. | My Alter Ego | Blogroll Me! | |