Switzerland had recently conducted a referendum on the prohibition of constructing minaret, a symbol of Muslim architecture. Unexpectedly, the ban was approved, with about 58% voters went for it.
The plaque of Islamophobia is so wide-spread around the world. Even Switzerland, carrying the symbol of neutrality all along, could not be exempted. According to perception, all the stuff in Switzerland is healthy. Federer, Rolex, Alps etc. Switzerland is always immaculate and well-liked. However, the referendum pricked the bubble. The signal of hatred has been handed down.
Democracy is surely not without deficiency. Historically, democracy has been utilized by the autocratic regimes for control and censorship, quite often. Most prominently, the cleansing of Jews under the Nazi Germany was permitted by the public. Even in our everyday life, the machine of democracy has been operated along the officialdom. The eradication of keeping backyard poultry after SARS in Hong Kong is an example.
To fulfill democracy in the genuine sense, tolerance is the key. For every decision to be made by balloting, the sufferance of minority is predetermined. Thus, to minimize the polarization resulted in any decision to be made, paradoxically, the fewer issues on the agenda, the lesser the acrimony.
Sadly, even Switzerland is now against tolerance and go for legislation, the freedom we could enjoy dwindles.
沒有留言:
張貼留言