Democracy depends on recognising reality

Darius’ letter reminds me of how too much idealism and too little understanding of how often-unpleasant reality works once killed efforts to make my newly established public workplace fair and democratic.

Three of us presented a list of 10 improvement points and all 16 employees agreed to it, but two of them had reservation about three of the points. We warned them that management would use their reservations to divide us and derail our plan, which was exactly what happened. Two naive people scuttled the improvements and the will of the majority. The three organisers of the uprising soon left the now-struggling workplace for jobs elsewhere. 

If democracy is your aim, Darius, look at the effects your idealism has. Your actions could harm democratic intent if they don’t take reality into account. The reason trade unions succeeded in the West is because their members adhered to the main cause even if some disagreed on some aspects. 

Rather than na๏ve, perhaps you are experienced in wrapping your cause in sweet reflections. You are perhaps actually saying, “Get rid of the current democracy project so we can reinstall the previous regime’s version of democracy.” 

A Johnsen