Untying the Knots: Democracy Decries 164 Conceptual Framework 01: Episode 35 (original) (raw)

1. We should discuss the rights of people in details everywhere in society so that people's awareness in favor of human rights increases and, at the same time, the authoritarian mentality decreases. 2. Sometimes, the course of our discussion can change due to the reality and we can make some additions-subtractions-alterations-revisions-extensions which are not understood in advance; of course, we can make new realities, but it is a matter of different consideration. 3. Understanding how strongmen are created and how the people of the country respond to their authoritarian rule is beneficial for democracy. 4. The risk of ‘democratic authoritarianism’ is gradually increasing in different countries of the world; therefore, it is necessary to have a clear idea of how democratic authoritarian rules work. 5. According to the Oxford University Press dictionary, ‘populism’ is ‘a political approach that strives to appeal to ordinary people,’ who feel that ‘their concerns are being disregarded by established elite groups;’ thus, ‘populism’ is characterized by its appeal to ordinary people and its work for them. 6. ‘Authoritarian populism’ is a political concept in which ‘those standing in elections use slogans or talk about policies which are aimed at pleasing the populace;’ they perhaps do not examine the fairness, good or bad, feasibility, legality, etc. of those promises. 7. Populist rulers become ‘authoritarian’ towards the people by embracing ‘populism;’ we need to have a clear idea about why populist rulers are emerging in many countries; this is also very important for the people of the world. 8. The clearer our understanding of a complex issue, the better it is for all in society; to get a clear idea, we should discuss the issue as far as it is necessary. 9. There may be many reasons why many social and economic things get out of control, not just because of ‘the fault of the meritocratic elite.’ 10. An American intellectual named Daniel Bell saw ‘the nativist populism of the 1890s’ as a ‘political and social movement of poor and dispossessed farmers;’ these people blamed ‘the controllers of money and the rule of gold’ for their plight. 11. Populist rulers may belong to the elite; however, whether they fall into the meritocracy is debatable; generally, there is no doubt that they belong to the politics and political arenas. 12. American singer James Brown was a populist person who ‘travelled a hundred thousand miles a year to reach three million fans where they lived; capping ticket prices at five dollars for adults and ninety-nine cents for children under twelve;’ giving fans tickets at a nominal price does not reflect an ‘authoritarian mentality;’ rather, it reflects his desire to do good for the people. 13. In a democratic system, an activist in a political party may rise to a leadership position with the support of the people; however, for doing so, he has to pass through the 'screening system' and get hands-on trainings on issues (or subjects) related to politics and political arenas so that the skills gained through those trainings are helpful in taking decisions while carrying out responsibilities entrusted later.