There have been, there are and there will be revolutions. A lot of research has been done around the world and across time in regards to the reasons for revolution, a blow by blow account of the misery that people have perpetuated on other people (to my knowledge there have been no revolutions in countries where people felt safe, listened to and free – I could be mistaken, please put me right if you do know of such an event). The trigger seems innocuous most of the time, critical mass is reached suddenly and a small revolt quickly becomes a revolutionary bonfire. Violence is threatened and most of the time happens. If the revolution is successful it is called so, if it is not successful it serves to increase prison population and/or death row. It is called by many names, none of them complimentary.
Let’s say a revolution has been successful. The mere fact it is successful seems to imply huge popular support. So the entire country is aflame with revolutionary spirit and a new government is chosen, who promises fast, sweeping reforms that will negate everything that the previous government did. It comes as no surprise to anybody but the revolutionaries that it doesn’t work quite that way.
So I am writing now a list of things I would like to see after the first post-revolutionary month. My biases will soon become apparent 🙂
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A technocratic dictatorship is instituted. The only needed qualification of the person should be a master’s thesis (not a doctorate, they get bogged down in irrelevant details) in comparative economics. The point of the dictatorship is to keep the country going and institute reforms based on the economic system of the dictator’s choice. Reforms should really be informed by engineers, doctors, educators etc. not anyone who has a managerial position, the ones who actually work!
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Term of dictatorship is 5 years, he (general use, a woman is as good) can be named by binding referendum once more and that’s it. You can suspend democracy in name for that time, but any longer and you get even bigger problems.
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Every week, said dictator will meet for the afternoon (walk, eat, drink, play bowls, whatever!) with 10 people. Five of them can apply for the audience. Five will be invited randomly from the different regions of the country (urban, rural, major industry, stay-at-home mum, high-school/university student… you get the drift).
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The dictator does not make speeches, he presents facts. He doesn’t wave at the parades, he rules. He represents the country. He is not military. At the end of his term/s he gets free exit from the country if he chooses to. He is paid in money, not property. The money should be very, very good.
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Speaking of military, the army is on high alert but deployed to the various regions of the country and rotated once a year. The last thing you need is a military dictatorship. They are to serve and protect the country, not lead. Border security is increased.
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Unless you simply don’t have any other choice, IMF is banned from entering the country. I can’t say much about the pro’s and con’s as I am not an economist, but selling national assets is way, way beyond the pale! In fact
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Assets of national importance (electricity, transport, health, education, justice, corrections, environment, oil/nuclear, history – in no particular order; have I missed any?) remain national or are nationalized. Private transport, education, business and health are permitted under conditions best specified by someone who knows what they are talking about.
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Speaking of education, civic duty classes continue weekly from primary school onwards (what do you mean you don’t have them?)
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Community development is the absolute goal of the country. A country that looks at its government instead of its communities is in serious trouble. To help there
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UNESCO, the UN, the Sallies, Unicef, Amnesty International, PETA, MSF and their equivalents have free entry.
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Anybody who preaches extreme capitalism, communism, nationalism or any other “ism” is to be given a choice: submitting a paper to a national newspaper, with the understanding that it will appear on a quarter of a page, the rest being occupied by three alternative points of view; being thrown in jail or deported for treason; surviving on the minimum wage of that country.
Given my upbringing, I assumed working for the people, state-church separation, equality, freedom, patriotism, universal rights, vote, health and education, protection of the environment and a few other things as fundamental. If you don’t have these, then I want to know the date you will start a revolution!
Please feel free to add your thoughts, keep it human! 🙂
liloatu 