Tuesday, February 15, 2011

UNASKED FOR ADVICE

There are now several countries where large demonstrations resulted in the resignation of their current leader.

I am very pleased that the people of these countries are getting a voice in the running of their country.

My advice?

Your constitution is VERY important. It should have three branches of government, an elected leader, a legislative body, and an independent court system. It should protect the civil rights of the people. Freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, the prohibition against holding someone in jail without formal criminal charges, the prohibition against searches of home and persons without a search warrant are all really important. And I am not a constitutional lawyer, I could have forgotten an important right.

Do NOT finalize a new constitution without the input of constitutional lawyers. Countries who have not enjoyed civil rights may want to take the advice of constitutional lawyers from countries who do have civil rights for their citizens.

I also suggest that you invite the United Nations to supervise the elections. This is for two reasons. Countries where a bribe is normal in order to get something approved have great difficulty in teaching people that it is possible to be honest when doing business. People who have had to protest again and again to get the right to have democracy often do not understand that they can lose elections. Having the UN certify the election helps people believe that the elections were fair.

Please remember that a democracy is not a one time thing. Democracy takes work, and that work is NEVER finished.

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