Death Of Political Democracy And Rise Of Controlled Democracy

A free-thinking society no longer exists now. Or say at least its influence is absent. That led to the depletion of political democracy and the emergence of controlled democracy. The success of Elon Musk in getting his favourite elected as the next US President in the just concluded US election tells us that the controlled democracy succeeds even in tough elections. Free-thinking political democracy is no more.    

The Americans seemingly chose the wrong candidate as their President - also the President of the World. The world needs leaders who understand environmental problems and climate change and have the ability to find remedies. But they reelected a person whom they rejected four years ago. They elected the person who faced impeachment multiple times - first in 2019 and second on February 13, 2021for abuse of power while being the President, even as his fellow Republicans cross-voted against him.

He was unfit as the US Presidential candidate. His re-election now has set in an ominous day not only for the Americans but for the world also. His defeat in 2020 brought a sigh of relief to many people who loved America and the world. Experts predicted the break-up of America if Donald Trump returns. By stopping his second run to the White House in 2020 the American electors saved America from a breakup. Will this prediction come true? The question remains in the air and waits for the right answer.

Trump could never realise that there was any concern about global warming. First, he said it was non-existent and alarmist propaganda created by someone for China to paint the US as a non-competent manufacturer. He called climate change “an expensive hoax”.  In the seminal year of his first presidency, he continued to be ambivalent about climate change. Even while talking about clean air and clean drinking water, he was cautious about distancing climate change, which caused the bad air and depletion of clean drinking water. 

Now the same Trump, despite being called unfit for the integrity of the Americans, is set to rule and is feared to act on what he considered wrong. Trump has come out with flying colours on the colourful diversity of the United States! The story on the front page of the Times of India praised the newly elected President of America. In a democratic system, the public holds the final word. Media drives the “go with the flow” formula. Most Indian media praised this return to the White House after a hiatus of four years. In India, not many people expected his reappearance in the White House, which saw the greatest Republicans like Abraham Lincoln.

Media neither delves into the roots of any news nor any story with a principal. It carries the news without considering the merit of the report. Media is the only space where positive and negative have equal merit, otherwise, the triumph of Trump wouldn’t have donned the front page of every newspaper. We could see this in Indian elections as well. Just before declaring the results, the media criticized parties, which were not expected to make any gain. The media changed the tune as the final results unfolded.

The countdown is not complete with the triumph of Donald Trump as an American president. He is declared the next president of the US. President of America means the ubiquitous President of the world with overwhelming influence over other countries. Despite many court cases, he could be the candidate of the Republican Party to win what was initially thought a tough election. Trump's journey toward the presidency was not easy. But he overcame all hurdles much to the surprise of the Americans and the world of democracy. It was interesting to see how the system bends for power. 

It is not a secret now! Trump had support from the world’s all-time richest man, Elon Musk. One can co-relate his takeover of Twitter, which had shut its doors to Trump before Musk swallowed it. Elon Musk’s takeover of the mega social media platform left a huge impact on Trump’s comeback as US President. Musk always maintains a good rapport with Trump. So the US election resulted not from Trump’s victory but from the great victory of Musk. Musk placed his man in the President's chair.

Trump's first call to Zelensky, Ukraine’s president has spoken this truth. Trump spoke to Zelensky in the presence of Musk and Musk also had a chance to share the line. It indicates what the next government might look like. Trump noted that Musk could enjoy an important position in his next government. The smarter Musk may choose to negotiate for more. He may place his chosen hands in defence and more to have direct control of pivotal departments of the next government. His investment of $1.11 billion is not a waste. He will multiply it; how many times is unpredictable. Now the picture is clear. After a defeat in the presidential election four years ago he did not take any retirement. Instead, he did good homework to return. He was facing serious lawsuits, including sabotaging the newly elected government. 

Democracy has become a mockery today! In a democracy, a billionaire can manipulate everything. They get politicians and media to play to their tune. That is enough to make people think differently. That way, there is natural democracy anywhere. It is a controlled democracy.

Even public opinion tends to favour dictators if wealthy donors need dictators who engage in hate speech, lead attacks, abuse opposing candidates and support racism in the office. The democratic picture has changed! Finally, we get only what we deserve. Not only in America the picture of politics is dirty but, in every place, where democracy is still a holy word. Powerful business tycoons plant proxy governments for their benefit. Sadly, every large democracy is in shambles. Politicians spoiled the system. Still, small countries remain as models for others, to some extent.

Trump garnered popular votes not only from whites but also from coloured masses despite his hate speech. After Twitter became X Trump was sanitized, thanks to Elon Musk's ownership. Democracy still exists in America. But one cannot easily find it. The American electoral system is structured in such a way that the self-proclaimed world police, who teach everyone the meaning of democracy, needs no solid democratic system for its people. America has never tried to update its system. Its electoral system is complicated. Many times, the most voted person does not get the top post. Hillary Clinton saw it.

SAJIKUMAR

https://sajikumar.co.in