Alexis de Tocqueville

“The scope of human perfectibility should be particularly feared in the democratic age”
Because it thrives on the obsession with self and one’s own security which equality fosters.
Alexis de Tocqueville

dictatorship vs democracy

“I happen to be one of those people who do not believe in multi-party democracy” Yoweri Museveni has written “in fact, I am totally opposed to it as far as Africa today is concerned …… if one forms a multi-party system in Uganda, a party can’t win elections unless it finds a way of dividing the ninety-four percent of the electorate and this is where the main problem comes up: tribalism, religion or regionalism becomes the basis for intense partisanship”
This explains why SNTV (single non-transferable voting) system, which resulted in a parliament without political parties, was opted in Afghanistan.
Museveni came to power in 1986 and postponed elections, until he saw that they took place in a manner that ensured his victory. Most important reasons were economical growth, coming hard on tribalism and attempts and promises to restore stability.
Museveni’s election terribly resembles Karzai’s.
There is not much difference between self proclaimed democracy and dictatorship, except dictatorship explains itself better

In a long lasting conflict we paint the image of others, conflicts within the conflict mushrooms as it goes for too long; in Afghanistan after the invasion we experienced many different sorts of regional, ethnic, social, personal, and psychological conflicts. The psychological combat is a relief mechanism.
These acts protect the individual from things that would otherwise make him uncomfortable and anxious. One defence mechanism is projection on others –who is perceived enemy and pretty much everyone is an enemy - of feelings, characteristics and desires that we can’t admit exist in ourselves.

A major factor in projection is the creation of a scapegoat. An ‘enemy’ serves as a scapegoat when it is accused of bringing about an outcome that was actually perpetrated by another, perhaps even oneself. The accusation is used to justify ones’ own behaviour, which is similar to that foisted on the others. Everyone is usually seen as aggressive, seeking dominance and conquest and capable of evil and brutality. One can ignore ones’ own behaviour and preserve ones self image because no matter how badly one is behaving, the world is a bad place, others are even worst.

Kabulis experience this in the 90s when belligerent parties were making projection of each other and the outside world; almost everyone in the outside world was considered evil. As the conflict prolonged this became a social trend too, and individuals started to perceive others through a defensive mechanism.

Having an enemy allows one the satisfaction of recognising one’s own moral superiority and the rightness of one’s cause (if there is one).

“the understanding of the thing you do a bit better” answered Lech Falandysz, law professor, when he was asking what happiness was in his farewell gathering with students, few days later he died of cancer.