While some people consider it a utopia, others see it as a real chance for a better future for Belarus and hold to the idea as fast as they can. The idea Prof. Matyja will be addressing in his webinar is the direct democracy. It is a kind of a political system in which the citizen (the sovereign) has the deciding voice regarding Belarus’s crucial issues.
However, the concept of political authority and democracy is grossly misunderstood in Belarus. It is generally believed that the ones in authority are unique individuals, the chosen ones, or celebrities elected to decide about the fortune or misfortune of the society. Yet, the concept does not simply refer to individuals or cliques in today’s power, but to a general process of domination of one group over other. That is why Belarusian society could, and should, be its own authority since it is the sovereign and the owner of the Belarusian state.
This disparity in understating of ethics by politicians on the one hand and citizens on the other confirms the semi-democratic nature of the Belarusian political system with its fundamental division of the society into two groups: those in power and those who are governed by them. These and many other aspects will be discussed during the webinar.
For your comfortable participation in the webinar please download Zoom in advance.
Moderator: Maksimas Milta