Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. The balance of power is an important key for democracy to succeed.
The Thai political conflict can be most quickly resolved if one tribe achieves total victory over another. But that would be shortsighted, because then the power structure would be without a balance.
For the sake of democracy, neither Thaksin Shinawatra nor Suthep Thaugsuban should win outright. Their fight against each other should continue to rage on. They just need to fight in the voting booths, in the halls of parliament and in the courts. Not in the streets.
To achieve this balance, we need both the red and yellow tribes, at least until better alternatives present themselves in the future.
Take the United States as an example of balance of power.
The presidential seat sees both Democrats and Republicans come and go. Many can’t even complete the two terms.
The key is that no matter who the president is, he or she is replaceable, not an immovable power. This isn’t only guaranteed by the constitution, but more importantly it is in the attitude of the voters and how they view politics.
The people play a key role in checks and balances. Therefore, a significant number of the people cannot and should not be brainwashed into becoming worshippers of either side.
It’s a choice between two sets of elites, but there’s a choice nonetheless. Hence, in mature democracies, corruption, though still a problem, is not a plague.
Knowing that the people are willing to replace one set of the elite with another every four years is the balance of power that keeps the elites honest, relatively speaking.
Take the extreme depiction of American politics. One side is the pot-smoking, unpatriotic Oprah Winfrey-loving, sensitive liberals. The other side is the gun-toting, Bible-thumping neo-fascists.
Pit them against each other and there’s a balance in between. Without this balance of power, then one side would monopolise power. Power corrupts, it’s the iron law. Democracy needs at least two sets of elites.
Like it or not, Thai politics have transformed into two major rival camps. There are two options, and let’s do the extreme depiction because it’s fun.
One side is the over-greedy, money-grubbing, power-hungry neo-capitalist fascists. The other side is the 19th century yearning, tanks-relying, lese majeste-loving, feudal fascists. Both sides have their devoted worshippers.
If you feel this depiction is not fair to one side or the other, then you might be that devoted worshipper.
If you think it’s unfair to both, then you may have a balanced view, but perhaps overly nice.
Pit the two tribes against each other and let the fight rage on, but legally and constitutionally — and somewhere in the middle is the balance of power. Let them know that, unlike the Beyonce Knowles’ hit song Irreplaceable, they are replaceable.
Whoever is in government, be critical and demanding, put them under the microscope, be on them like white on rice. If they goof, bring them down through the democratic process and replace them with the other set.
Then repeat and rinse the same process. If a tribe isn’t the government, but is asserting itself, then also put it under the microscope. Keep both tribes in check.
In the old days, only one set of elite ruled over society.
In this new world, there should be two sets of elites, at least. Democracy is about having a choice.
Intelligent people understand the nature of the human society and know to play the elites against each other. Other people become devoted tribal members, with delusions of morality and absence of self-awareness.
Again, it’s the balance of power. Democracy needs at least two sets of the elite, just as it needs two sets of devoted tribal members to follow them, and then those pesky commentators who point out the reality of the human condition.
Email Voranai Vanijaka at voranai@gmail.com.