Democracy 3.0

SO here we are at long last. This is our third attempt at democracy since we gained independence in 1971. The first attempt lasted less than four years and came unraveled in 1975, and the second lasted fifteen years but ran out of steam in the early days of 2007.
I have written earlier that it is possible to divide Bangladesh's political history into four distinct periods, or republics, if you will: 1972-1975, 1975-1982, 1982-1990, and 1991-2007.
Each period has been longer than the one preceding it, if not always either more stable or more democratic. But each period came with its in-built limitations that inevitably led to its end, and each time we have had to go back to the drawing board as a nation to come up with something new and hopefully more durable than that which preceded it.
Now, after the unraveling of the Fourth Republic in the early days of 2007 and after a non-democratic interregnum of two years, here we are looking at the dawning of the Fifth Republic. Democracy 3.0.
What have we learned over the past two years? The first thing we have learned (not that it was ever in question, but anyway) is that people prefer democratic rule to undemocratic rule.
They are willing, in extreme circumstances, to abide by an unelected government for a limited period of time, but only on the explicit understanding that such a government's tenure in office is finite and that it is in place only as long as is necessary for a good election to be held.
People fully understood that the situation in January 2007 was untenable and that extreme measures were necessary in order to safeguard their right to a free and fair election. That is why they initially welcomed the caretaker government.
Much of the sheen has worn off the government, for one reason or another, these past two years, but people have shown themselves willing to put up with it and its foibles in the hope of getting a more functional polity.
But at the end of the day there can be no question in anyone's mind that the Bangladeshi people want, and will accept nothing less than, the right to freely vote and determine their own destiny.
The second thing that we have learned (not that it was ever in question, but anyway) is that when it comes to the dysfunction in our democracy, the people are not the problem.
The people do not want lousy candidates. They do not want to vote for criminals and the corrupt. To the extent that their choice is between lousy candidates and an unelected government, they will take the lousy candidates.
But no one should misinterpret this to think that they are content with the choices before them or to think that they are not capable of appreciating good candidates when they are given such a choice.
It is up to the political parties to now start putting more and more meritorious candidates before the people and trust in the people to make the right choice, rather than nominating the same old compromised faces on the incorrect and patronising assumption that voters are not interested in anything better.
To the extent that meritorious candidates often lose to locally renowned criminals, it is not because the voters have some affinity to or admiration for the criminal.
It is because the voters make a rational calculation based on their own personal safety and security considerations and whom they think is likely to be able to serve their interests better in the next five years.
If they vote for a corrupt or criminal candidate it is because they either believe that it is not safe for them to vote otherwise or because they believe that such a candidate, for all his or her corruption and criminality, will better represent their constituency's interests.
If we want people to vote for good candidates then all we need to do is to ensure that they are able to vote their consciences in safety and security. Believe me, the voters will take care of the rest. Have a little faith in the Bangladeshi people.
So, as we move to democracy once again, let us hope that the political parties will give the people what they deserve. The people deserve good representatives and competent government that is responsive to their needs and demands. Surely that is not asking too much.
If ever any people in the world deserved more from their leaders than they have received, it is we Bangladeshis. The people deserve far better than they have got so far. I am sure no one would disagree with this statement.
Perhaps this time around, they will get what they deserve, and this iteration of democracy will be the foundation stone for a truly democratic country.
What's the saying? Third time lucky? Third time's the charm? Let's hope so.

Zafar Sobhan is Assistant Editor, The Daily Star.