Jarek Marciniak divides Polish people in three categories: those who have no idea how a democratic state works (80 percent), those who have a general but unspecific idea (15 percent), and those who are experts (5 percent). He is a board member and one of the founders of the Committee for the Defense of Democracy (KOD), a civic movement initiated in opposition to the actions of Poland's current conservative government led by the Law and Justice party (PIS). [...]
On the one hand, KOD organises massive demonstrations (between 45,000 and 240,000 people attended the last one, depending on who you ask), and the group counts many prominent names among its patrons and supporters. On the other hand, KOD has been accused over-representing wealthy, middle-class Poles afraid of losing their privileges. [...]
In Poland, we still have this mistaken belief that the majority is allowed to do anything it wants. When I start to discuss that with people, many confirm it. I ask them, “So you like the current situation?” and they say, “Yes”. “We have an ultra-Catholic, ultra-right-wing government and it is introducing certain types of bans and that is okay”. “Yes, because the majority is right”. I say, “All right, then imagine now that in four years the situation changes and an ultra-left government gains power. They say that with a certain income you are allowed to have only one child, you can get abortion up to fifth month, marriage between same sex couples can be performed in churches, and the church needs to respect that. Is that okay for you?” I hear, “No”. So what's the difference? Liberal democracy is about the majority ruling but taking care of the minorities, too. There are certain laws—rules that are immutable. And no matter who is in power they should be preserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment