Czech Republic: Democracy Without Training Wheels?
6 June 2008Radio Prague recently covered the anniversary of the Velvet Revolution and highlighted the discontent many Czech people feel concerning the current political climate in the Czech Republic. Within this fairly benign story I’ve noticed an interesting trend - something I’ve been watching for a little while and think is worth highlighting.
I develop a website relating to the work of playwright and dissident Vclav Havel. The development of this site has given me an opportunity to delve into the political psyche of the Czech people and view how they have used humor, imagination, resilience and pragmatism in the past to deal with the tyranny of the Nazi’s and the Soviet Union. I have no Czech heritage however being Australian offers me a unique insight into the Czech political landscape and that of former Soviet Bloc countries in general. Australian society could be considered one of the most democratic in the world and because of this I, like most Australians, have occasionally taken this freedom for granted. Conversely, I’ve observed how ex Eastern Bloc nations struggle to really understand how to adapt to a life of liberty. One aspect of this is a call to ban the Communist party.
I’ve noticed on Czech culture websites and chat forums a disdain for how the Czech government in recent years has attempted to deal with former communists, communist government bureaucrats and the current Communist party. One regular criticism leveled at Havel in these forums is the apparent appeasement he has shown to leaders of the former communist government during and after the transfer of power in 1989. Many people still are looking for justice and believe he was soft on this issue. This is human nature and understandable.
I’m not entirely familiar with the tyranny and brutality that many people struggled with under with the former communist regime but it’s well documented that Havel suffered several times from communist oppression during the 1970’s and 1980’s. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is amused at how some Czech’s still disparage his name over issues such as this. I believe he understands the true nature of democracy. Everybody should have a voice. Nobody should be silenced. It’s interesting how some Czech’s call for the abolition of the Communist party. Censorship in the name of freedom? I don’t think so. Many of these people appear to be expatriates and their families obviously suffered from communist oppression. Many of them also left Czechoslovakia leaving people such as Havel to take up the cause. No problem, that’s the nature of democracy: forget gratitude - people should be allowed to complain and rally for a better life. Just remember that Havel continues to speak out against oppressive regimes (communist ones) such as those in Cuba and Burma.
Those vocal few would be well served by looking elsewhere when trying to understand and interpret social policy issues of the Czech Republic - then they will start to understand how living in a democracy works. The Australian left wing politician Tom Uren is a great example of a person who advocates letting go of hate and looking for better ways to exist in this world. He suffered greatly as a POW in Changi during WWII but has shown an extraordinary amount of forgiveness and compassion towards Japan and the Japanese people since. He will never forget the crimes he as seen however like Havel he’s on a greater mission. Uren once said “There’s no progress in hate. Really, I believe in progress.”
I don’t know why some Czechs are so scared of their Communist party. Even if the voice of the Communist Party grew in a Social Democrat coalition, Czech’s would just need to do what they have done in the past and reject the ‘life of a lie’. Havel wrote about beating communism by empowering people to choose their own destiny. The Czech people taught the world this and by staring communism straight in the face once again they would truly show the world that they’ve discarded their democratic training wheels.
Josef Grgas maintains a non commercial website relating to the work and philosophies of Czech playwright, dissident and politician Vclav Havel. Find out more at http://www.livinginthetruth.com
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