The ruling party in Syria is called the Syrian Democratic People’s party. The government of the day has eliminated all opposition parties in an attempt to ensure they rule arbitrary. Even though the Syrian constitution declares that the country in a democracy, the government has unconstitutionally ensured that it bans a lot political parties. This means that the government continues to act without the requisite checks and balances provided by the opposition. It is extremely critical for a country to nurture democracy. This because democracy ensures it provides a state with alternative leadership. It keeps government official on their toes thus prevent abuse of office. This section seeks to propose that the Syrian government should embrace the constitutional order and promote democracy.
The introduction of real democratic space in Syria will also ensure restructuring of the government. This is because the executive, at the moment, rules arbitrary without observing the doctrines of separation of powers among the executive, parliament and the judiciary. This is of vital significance in the governance of a nation because placing all the power in one person or institution will result in abuse of that power. This has been illustrated by the current scenario where the presidency seeks to eliminate any dissenting voices irrespective of whether they are right or wrong. The NPF and the NDG should work within the legislature by adopting a bipartisan approach, which will enable both of them serve their supporters and the Syrian people at large. If the doctrine of separation of powers in implemented in Syria as advocated by Montesquieu, it will help usher in a new dispersion of governance. The legislature primarily obligation will be to enact, amend and repel laws. It will also keep the executive in check with regard to the allocation of resources fairly within the country. The legislative speech will also be candid and objective creating an ambience where the elected legislature can voice the concerns of their electorate without fear or favor. The judiciary primary duty will be to interpret the intention of the legislature, on the enacted legislation. It will also serve a crucial role of ensuring that disputes between the citizens or citizens and the state are settled amicably and within time. The executive will be charged with all other responsibilities apart from those constitutionally mandated to the legislature and the judiciary.
It is, however, critical that if the Syrian government has to fully become democratic, the government has to ensure that other institutions generally under the executive arm operate independently and without interference from the presidency. This will save the nation from the chaos currently being witnessed. It is vital that institutions such as the police force be competently constituted and left to carry out its duties. On the contrary, the current regime has perfected the act of using the police force to fight off the opposition and citizens who are deemed enemies of the ruling party. In this new proposed dispersion, the primary responsibility of the police service shall be to promote law and order and serve all citizens without discrimination.
Moreover, opening up the democratic space will ensure the country also realize other numerous economic and social benefits. In a democracy, investors are certain that they will get justice when they make investments. People have confident in institutions and vices like corruption is greatly reduced. Moreover, an aggrieved party has an option to seek redress in the court of law, whereby the court will act as a non-partisan party whose interest will be to serve justice. At the moment, the Syrian judiciary is an extension of the executive, whose work is to rubber stamps excessive acts of the executive by trying to legitimize them.
In addition, it is vital for the Syrian government to become democratic as it will enrich the services delivered by the government. In a democratic society, people and institution are always ready and willing to provide solutions to the problems that affect society. In this regard, the government will choose the best option. This serves to enrich the decision making process. On the other hand, people are more receptive to the government policies, initiative and projects.
In order to be truly democratic it is vital for the government to ensure that the NPF and the NDG among others political parties conduct their affairs independently. It is also critical to promote the independence of the judiciary. One of the key pillars of democracy is elections and, as stated above, periodic holding of free and fair election should be implemented. The media and the civil society also play a significant role in a democracy in terms of holding the government accountable and ensuring participation.
Bibliography
Elbadawi, I., & Makdisi, S. (2010). Democracy in the Arab World: Explaining the Deficit. New York: Routledge.
Zîser, E. (2007). Commanding Syria: Bashar Al-Asad and the First Years in Power. New York: I.B.Tauris.
