Democracy, Markets, and Ideologies: A Critical Analysis
Marx and the Market
The market is a mechanism for determining costs and prices. It operates independently, without ruling anyone. However, the market can be ruthless, eliminating the weakest and favoring the strongest. It maximizes the efforts of society as a whole, aligning with capitalist principles. For example, one watchmaker may take a few hours to make a watch, while another takes several days. Marx defends individual labor based on the hours worked, while the market is collectivist, sacrificing individual effort for the collective good of society.
Politically Correct / Ideologically Optical
While ideologies may be dead, “political correctness” survives. The end of ideology signified the end of Marxist ideology. Ideology is described as a way of thinking that repeats slogans and chants rather than engaging in critical thought. The concepts of “right” and “left” persist, and those who remain unintimidated retain their freedom and grounded perspective.
The Cromwell Revolution
Oliver Cromwell led a genuine revolution, beheading a king and establishing a republic. The term “revolution” first appeared in England with William of Orange, who ascended the throne through a concerted invasion. The French Revolution was the first of its kind. A revolution must be an uprising from below, guided by ideals and a project. It is characterized by violence and a break from the past.
Right and Left
Soviet policy was defined as left, while the capitalist world was considered right. The left is associated with ethics and fighting injustice, while the right is seen as selfish and focused on self-interest. The left pursues altruism, giving without expecting anything in return, while the right is unconcerned with virtues and serves only business. If the right does not apologize for its lack of moral standards, it is not in moral bankruptcy. The left today is morally genuine in its foundations but hypocritical in its practices.
Preference Toward Democracy
Why choose democracy? Culture and civilization. Civilization implies civility. The focus shifts from the civis (citizen) to civility (citizenship). With the Enlightenment, the term civis replaced Christianity and became associated with religion. In A Study of History, Arnold Toynbee lists 23 civilizations, of which five survive. Each civilization has its own aesthetic values, spirituality, morality, and religion. In the West, science and technology, and the construction of the free city are prominent. Values are neither true nor false but are based on preferences. These values should be defined based on fundamental life experiences: freedom, equality, and rights.
Exportability of Democracy
Democracy, as we understand it, can be exported, but its exportability depends on the specific context. Liberal democracy primarily offers protection against tyranny (demoprotection) and secondly, empowers the people (demopower). The constitutional structures of democracy are the easiest to export. Examples include Italy, Germany, and Japan. Italy and Germany are less relevant as they had prior democratic experience. Japan, with its different culture and values, underwent significant changes under General MacArthur. The most interesting case is India, with its diverse religious landscape (Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam). Hinduism, increasingly nationalist, is polytheistic and compatible with democracy. Buddhism is not inherently problematic. Islam, however, has never been fully integrated into India, leading to the partition and creation of Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Democracy and Islam
Christianity and Islam were once powerful theocratic societies based on God’s will and obedience. They clashed for centuries until Christianity gradually secularized, while Islam did not. Christianity’s secularization resulted from the exhaustion of religious wars between Catholics and Protestants, leading to tolerance. Christianity overlapped with Roman civilization, which maintained its own legal system (Roman law), separate from canon law. Christianity, despite the Crusades, was not primarily focused on religious conquest. The West is secular and does not engage in wars of conquest, unlike Islam. The question arises: is Islam invasive towards the West, or vice versa? The West, being secular, is not engaged in wars of invasion, unlike Islam. However, Islam is perceived as a cultural invader and a threat. Toynbee argued that the West’s technological strength and communication tools are irresistible. Islam, as a theocratic civilization, lacks adaptive capacity and reacts intransigently.