Social Democracy and Sri Lanka

An accesses to start a Social Democratic Movement

The Council for Social Democrats (CSD)

The preface:

Sri Lanka is one of the first countries, which embraced the neo-liberal socio-economic concept from the inception. Because of the inherent political dynamics of this economic model, we were compelled to impose stringent restrictions on democracy, with the aim of realizing the development goals. After grappling with this economic model for the past three decades not only did we fail to reach the expected developmental goals, but also contracted the democratic Freedom that we enjoyed. Parallel to this, we the Sri Lankan society has experienced a process of transformation of the individual into mere consumer of the market, which dismantled the natural social institutions of the human life. Additionally, though a limited group of people have been able to temporarily solve their problems through this so-called development the vast majority of the society has been subjected to a severe disempowerment.

It is a fact that the democratic freedom, liberties and the rights that the Sri Lankan society hitherto enjoyed, have been systematically curtailed in order to prevent expression of social displeasure through political means. The state structure is established contrary to the accepted democratic norms. Also the space to elect representatives who are closer to their social life has been curtailed or otherwise abolished.

Instead, an executive and a set of peoples’ representatives, who are insensitive to the people’s aspirations, have been appointed through the popular ballot, to implement this alien socio-economic program. Anti-socials elements such as finance profiteers, drug dealers and tribute collectors have been baptized as people’s representatives. Democracy has been restricted to a mere voting exercise for the people designated by the political authority. It is our responsibility to transform the consumer who is a

direct outcome of the neo liberal economic model into a conscious social being. In this context, building a rationale society is a serious challenge to us and in this regard we setout the following objectives and goals to over come these challenges. We believe that we have a challenge and an obligation towards society to build a democratic social movement for the reestablishment of democracy in this country.

Who are we and where are we heading?

The Council for Social Democrats (CSD) in Sri Lanka is a newly formed platform for people who are committed to the core values of Social Democracy; justice, freedom, equality and solidarity. CSD is a network of individuals and organizations, who are striving to develop an alternative socio-economic model in lieu of the existing socioeconomic model created by the new world order and the neo-liberal economic policies. It is an initiative launched by politically-conscious intellectuals, academics, political activists and organizations in Sri Lanka who have come forward to introduce principled politics based on a proper ideological framework. This is unique due to the fact that ideally for the first time in the Sri Lankan political history, politically- diverse individuals and groups have come together, shedding their power oriented goals to develop a common socio-economic ideology and interact with each other on one

common ideological platform. The CSD is an “indigenous” network of people who are aspiring to contribute its knowledge, wealth and experiences to build a prosperous and stable Sri Lankan nation state.

Where do we want to go?

 

CDS is striving to create through its network membership, a sustained political environment and a process for political dialogue that could be utilized as a regular and established meeting place for political actors and experts and so that their deliberations and dialogues may contribute to generate a pragmatic and locallyadaptable socio-economic and cultural policy framework based on universal ideals of Social Democracy. For the Sri Lankan people, there is no necessity to introduce social democracy afresh, yet because of the historical changes which occurred through the past three decades, it is obvious the concept has been on the decline. However, social democratic discourser is once again gaining in importance due to the nagging trend of authoritarianism that brought to us instead the agreed benefits of neo-liberal economic model.

Which path have we chosen?

CSD is a political platform that is open to all people and organizations that are sensitive towards ‘centre left/right’ politics, humanity and total human dignity of mankind. At the same time it believes in pragmatic socio-economic development which is a combination of market forces and social justice. Also it believes in the importance of localization, which in turn will bring it closer to the local experiences. In this regard, CSD believes that although the market is potentially the most efficient allocation mechanism, it does require regulation since it is incapable of regulating itself. Therefore there should be an active State to introduce socially-responsible regulations to the market economy. CSD also believes that there should be a clear commitment to the real economy, as opposed to the financial economy and steps should be taken to strengthen it through active State regulations.

On the one hand, the active State is tasked with ensuring competitive conditions for private sector companies. This includes public investment in infrastructure. On the other, the State should strive to be an active player in the economy by means of incentive and sanction mechanisms, which will not only guarantee fair competition but also ensure that the State participates in fair competition.  The enormous increase in the importance of the global financial economy as against that of the real economy is at least as much the result of the failure of the State as of the failure of market mechanisms. Therefore, there is a need for political decisions that can regulate the financial markets, the supply of liquidity, the spread of the use of highly-speculative financial instruments, excessive pursuit of returns and the formation of elusive economic bubbles. Therefore the role of the State that the CSD has envisaged in its political choice is an active State. The role of the new active State is of particular significance in three areas: social policy, industrial policy and the regulation of markets. CSD emphasizes on achieving a socio-economic model that is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable. Economic sustainability is about trying to ensure that future generations inherit more assets than liabilities; social sustainability is about future generations enjoying more opportunities than the present generation and environmental sustainability is about future generations having a creative rather than a destructive relationship with nature.

Economic sustainability:

CSD invites rethinking of our traditional approach to growth with a view to developing an up-to-date concept of individual and societal progress. New growth in order to achieve societal progress, can no longer be understood merely as GDP growth, but must strongly bring to the fore hitherto-neglected dimensions such as quality of life and environmental externalities.

Social sustainability

CSD highlights the importance of an active and ‘preventive’ social policy in order to preserve the welfare state and social cohesion.

Environmental sustainability

CSD emphasizes that the environmental dimension of sustainability as an economic and social issue for the future. CSD also believes Markets should be reformed so that they can provide private goods in a sustainable manner. CSD adopted this path not due to any other sensational reasons but because of the existing economic fallout and economic ‘dampness’ that have brought forth escalating social inequalities that we are experiencing today. This tendency has brought misery to the majority of the people in our society. It is quite clear that unless we put our heads together, we will not be in a position to develop alternatives to this misery. Therefore we invite all like-minded human beings of Sri Lanka to come forward to explore an alternative socio-economic future for our beloved country. Hence we declare our commitment to this innovative path in this manner.

Proposed policies:

The Approach:

Main challenge of the present day world is to generate empirical solutions to current political crises faced by the human kind. Mainly they are the democratization crisis within the modern economic model and the democratization crisis within society. Therefore we can go on to say that the society and economic space are plagued with a democratic crisis. This crisis of democracy can be seen within the institutions, spaces, policies, perspectives, economic and social opportunities and also in the exercise of rights and in social performances. This democratic crisis is evident in the performance of duties and the demanding of rights.

To free ourselves from this crisis, an empirical, centre left/right-oriented, humane, rights-based and localized approach is being suggested instead of a moralistic attitude because what are ultimately needed are practical solutions. As such it is being suggested to bring about a democratic revolution in the areas mentioned below as a solution to this crisis.

1. Political System

2. Basic Rights

3. Public Political Sphere

4. Civil Society

5. Sub-systems of Social Democratization

6. Social State

7. Educational System

8. Economic Constitution

9. Economic Regulation

10. Corporate Constitution

11. Political Culture

12. Culture

1. Democratization of Political System:

It is our belief that the existence of free opportunities alone would not be sufficient for individuals to enter into a production process and that the individuals need a proper human organization, political system and a set of political attitudes that make possible such an active contribution towards a production process. The fundamental norm which should govern such an organizational system and the relevant attitudes is the assumption that the human being is a collective social being and thus political systems should always consider satisfying the social and developmental needs of a human being.

2. Democratization of protection and enjoyment of Basic Rights:

In the liberal bourgeois societies, rights are recognized as negative and positive rights. Nevertheless, when it comes to the protection and promotion of human rights, these societies emphasize only the negative rights. The socio-economic rights, which are  termed positive rights, get secondary attention in these societies. They do not recognize socio-economic rights as an entrenched right of a human being. Therefore, political system of bourgeois never intervenes to build an environment which is available for enjoying all of the basic rights of a human being. These societies recognizes the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights only as they are achievable within the appropriate political and economic system. For example, within liberal bourgeois systems, political rights and rights with regard to bearing,

possessing and distributing resources are introduced as active positive rights. And the ‘activeness’ of the State depends on the economic and philosophical capability of the incumbent political system.

When we accept the fact that the human is a collective social being, basic rights of human beings include both the aforesaid positive and other negative rights. Therefore democratization of basic rights would mean acknowledging, protecting and making space for enjoyment of both these types of rights.

3. Democratization of Public Political Sphere:

It is a well-established fact that political freedom within the political society cannot be enjoyed through a majoritarian democracy. It is true that within majoritarian decisionmaking system, national minorities, under privileged segments of people and other powerless groups would not be given the opportunity to enjoy their political freedom.

Therefore the democratization of public political sphere means:

1. Building Plural Democratic structures, strategies and attitudes.

2. Building Consensual Democratic structures, strategies and attitudes.

3. Building Participatory Democratic structures, strategies and attitudes.

4. Building Deliberative Democratic structures, strategies and attitudes.

4. Democratization of the Civil Society:

In political science parlance, Civil Society is known as the space between the family and the State. Within such a space, people should be able to enjoy all human rights irrespective of the political connotation given to those human rights. Nevertheless, when the emphasis is given to negative rights in which civil and political rights of an individual are paramount, it is quite obvious that this individual will be represented only by certain powerful segments of people such as male individuals, individuals of the majority community or those who possess wealth or wield power. In such a context, the remaining group within the civil society will become degenerated and powerless. This group generally consists of female individuals, individuals of minority communities or under-privileged people who are not in a position to enjoy political and civil rights within the civil society. Thus the democratization of civil society primarily entails the provision of civil and political rights to the people who are marginalized in this manner.

5 Democratization of social sub-systems:

Empowering under-privileged, oppressed segments of people is the intended democratization here.

6. Democratization of Social State:

Here the democratization means the conduct and the empowerment of Social State according to the social contract entered into between the people and people’s representatives. The primary emphasis in this context is the notion of citizenship which is based on the concepts of good governance and equality.

7. Democratization of Educational System:

In any country, educational system is the means of building knowledge, capacities and attitudes for enhancing the self-understanding and the ability of the individual. In that, the objective of a humane and collective society of people should be emphasized, firstly it should build knowledge, capacities and attitudes that consider the democratic needs of the individual and secondly, to provide education to fulfill the developmental needs of the society.

8. Democratization of Economic Constitution:

The new liberal economic constitution has been socialized today as the realistic economic system. New liberal economic system consists of:

1. The market economy

2. De-regularization of economy

3. Privatization of public enterprises

4. No space for public good and public welfare

5. The human rights that emphasizes consumption instead of collective basic rights

The monetary globalization and the deregulated world market can be referred to as an extension of the new liberal economic system. Within this system, it is capable of creating a continuous national economic crisis as well as an international monetary crisis. The inherent social, economic and cultural inequality will result in the consolidation of unemployment, deprivation of jobs and lack of employment opportunities. As such, there exists a huge need for the democratization of the economic system. We can put forward this need in the following manner.

1. The need for political rationalism which is over-determined by the collectivity, freedom, justice and equality instead of the market super-determining everything.

2. The need to defeat the oligarchies through a coordinated economy instead of free trade.

3. The need to enjoy all the human rights by all the humans instead of basing everything on freedom of the individual.

4. The need to reach together the productivity goals of the economy and the social development aims, instead of an economic constitution that emphasizes productivity of the economy only.

5. The need of a strong welfare state instead of an economic constitution that emphasizes basic social protection only.

6. The need to decide on the working conditions by the working people, employers and the State getting together instead of such decisions being made unilaterally.

9. Democratization of Economic Regulation:

It is worth insisting on the facts mentioned below for the purpose of the democratization of economic regulation.

1. Coordination of economic relations should be through non-market organizational structures. For example, decisions will be taken through a process that would get the State, the entrepreneurs and the organized working class together.

2. State intervention in long-term investments, prevention of monopolies and social discrepancies and protection and promotion of public good and public welfare.

3. Deciding on working conditions within the framework of collective agreements instead of bilateral agreements.

4. Measuring economic progress based together on social justice, efficiency and productivity.

5. A code of ethics for the private sector.

10. Democratization of Private enterprise:

While emphasizing the need for the existence of entrepreneurship against the statefocused capitalism, it is also acknowledged that private enterprises are an essential factor of the country. What the democratization of private enterprises means is the coordination of private enterprises through a code of ethics which ensures the safety of the national economy, public good and social existence. (This does not mean controlling it in any manner)

11. Political Culture:

Within our understanding, political culture means not making a code of ethics for the members of parliament and ministers. According to Gabriel A. Armond and Sydney Verba, (both of whom are politicians belong to behaviorist school) political culture is a phenomenon which is based on psychological behavior of a person or a society. It is  all about the respect extended to the political institutions and law by politicians and people. The declined respect for the institutions and the law will further decline the culture of politicians.

The democratization of political culture means that

1. Equal emphasis is placed on the rights as well as the duties.

2. Politics should lead to fulfilling the aspirations for freedom, equality and the development of the collective human being.

3. The primary objectives of politics are ensuring the freedom and equality, public good, public welfare, social justice as well as sustainable development.

4. Emphasis should be placed on the significance of human progress and that efficiency and productivity provides that access to development.

Democratization of Culture:

Human beings are never satisfied with its economic progress, which is the foundation for its existence. He/she always wants to get closer to the art and aesthetics, which is the highest form of our culture. Culture is the phenomenon that helped human being to humanize the nature that he/she was surrounded. It is a well known fact that the human being reached its new horizons through the production, science and culture. As a social being, humans have resorted to arts, aesthetics and classical literature in order to expand his/her perceptional world. Therefore he/she has developed languages and various symbols in which novel thinking is generated. Thereby the arts, aesthetics and classical literature has became cornerstones of human consciousness. We believe therefore that art and culture are unavoidable conditions when one strives to develop a cultural being instead of just an individual. In such a context we steadfastly emphasize the need for liberty and freedom in art and culture and in the quest for making our society more humane and creative, we accept that there is a role to be played in fostering and strengthening art and culture in our society.