Lockdown, quarantine and emergency. These words have newfound prominence in the vexing times of the pandemic. We praise them; we berate them. Still, we must follow them. For our government has them formally executed. While I agree with governments across the world that their citizens’ lives matter more than their opinion, I fear and question their fidelity to that opinion. The question to ask is not how will it help us but rather how much will it help us (and hence, how much will it help you).
The question does not insinuate that lockdowns and emergencies are in bad spirit. It implies a question which may be increasingly posed in the future when coronavirus cases are flattening in their graphs. It asks for rational reasoning to understand how a measure will stop the barrage and what are the alternatives.
Dear reader, you must understand that there is no problem without alternative solutions. Even a mathematically defined Rubik’s cube has multiple algorithms to solve it. So when a government chooses a measure to curb the rise of coronavirus, it is to be assumed that the alternatives have been explored with (to the best of their then knowledge) them choosing the best alternative. However, my question actually is, is it best for us, or best for them?
Many of you would still be dogmatic to my conclusion. How can we suggest that the government wishes the worst for us when we elected (and will elect) them? Unfortunately, the government is made of power-seeking politicians. And lest there is a strong constitution backing a nation, nothing can get in the way of these rabble-rousers and ‘ultimate power’ (wherein they are despotic and inevitable). Thankfully, we, the people who are being ruled, are not dimwits to be fooled by their ruses to reach their goal of power. We protest, demonstrate and fight.
Except now, they utilise our fear of Coronavirus. It acts as an opaque sheet, disallowing us from seeing their furtive ulterior motives. They place national emergencies, lockdowns and curfews upon us, with us willingly accepting them. Yet, how do we know that these measures are not just another political tactic to increase power? How are we certain that these measures aren’t to destroy democracy?
There is a fine line between controlling authoritarianism and beneficial health-centrism (with a side-view of electoral gain for the politicians in power). The Line of Control. The line which divides the power-hungry who take advantage (of their people) and the not-so-power-hungry who are the advantage (to their people).
Where is that line? A tough question to answer. We may say with certainty, however, that when your nation begins taking effectively anti-democratic alternatives when other better alternatives remain available, your country is beyond the line.
However, in the current scenario, it may be impossible to determine whether your head of state wishes to become your ‘Supreme Leader’, or is just a benevolent administrator who wishes for the citizenry’s welfare. When cases begin to clear up, and the coronavirus wanes, then shall we see which states have changed structure for the better and for the worse.
Recent times have seen the wane of democracy worldwide. From its position of renown liberator to its current depiction of a battle three-quarter lost, democracy has declined. Its fall has given rise to a frightening regression towards authoritarianism and its related military junta-governance.
Democracy is hard-won but easily lost.
In light of these times, the statement stands true. Coronavirus and fear have proved to be banal to democracy. Governments around the world have tied the arms of constitutional instruments with their manipulative tools without citizen protests. When the world is freed of virus attacks (at least massively), these governments will release their plotted schemes and proclaim an authoritarian government.
Coronavirus is dangerous, and we need protection from it. Yet how much protection is too much, is a factor we must regard with suspicion. Is the government plotting and scheming nefariously? Are there alternatives? What must we read between the lines?
In these vexing times, the government words of support act as a much-needed tonic to our minds. We are coaxed by their sweet-sounding flattery and (sometimes) real action. We slog to maintain our loyalty to the government and nation. But aware we must be. For when authoritarianism overcomes democracy, nations lost cannot be easily won. And those nations will cost us more than pandemics and wars — they will cross the line and be Humanity’s bane.
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