|
Introduction:
History has shown that often times when a government in a nation impose a particular version of religion-based governance, with its own
perception of cultural and social values on largely a pluralist society, it robs the citizens of fundamental freedoms and rights. Leaders who come to power in such countries create an isolated, protected economy.
Room for reasonable debate among opposing view points is denied. Such nations often have proved that they are not only detrimental to their own people but have also adversely impacted their neighbors far and near.
Such a situation existed in recently liberated countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq. Religion became the justification for oppression either way. Saddam succeeded in holding on to power while a
nation with a high per capita income was transformed into one of the poorest countries in that region.
In Afghanistan religious rhetoric served the Taliban well in turning their nation against the West and other democratic nations. Younger generations were misinformed and schools taught the children what the people in ethnic or religious governments wanted and we did not see how such internal issues in a far away country could affect us until Sept 11, 2001. Soon a large portion of such misinformed generation will use the US assisted elections in Iraq to come to power in a legitimate way.
A clear and present need in these countries is, to develop an indigenous cadre of political, social and corporate leaders who are familiar with the principles and practices of democratic functioning in a
pluralistic society. If such a cadre could be developed starting immediately, they would be in a position to provide rational governance based on democratic ideals. The Art of Governance Program conceived by the
Policy Institute for Religion and State (PIFRAS) attempts to achieve this initially in Iraq like no other programs have.
There is an urgent need to strengthen the idea that democracy is not about majority
rule but about the rights, dignity, justice, equality, and freedom of every citizen. This is possible only by helping to educate political leaders who will understand the values and the need for the principles of a
pluralistic democracy, free market economy, and the need to respect the fundamental rights of all people in their countries.
National Security:
Many senior political party leaders whom PIFRAS
met, in the past three years, in various countries have acknowledged that they do not have people within their rank and file who has a sound understanding of the fundamentals of a pluralist democracy. As a result,
they complain that they inherit people espousing radical and fundamentalist ideals. These individuals eventually get elected to influential legislative bodies such as Parliaments, Majlis or Loya Jirga. This
ultimately manifests itself as a problem in many different ways both at home and abroad, creating obstacles/disruptions in the development of their countries, thus even affecting even our own national security.
Important Questions:
The questions facing countries like Afghanistan and Iraq today are:
|
