I was saddened today to hear about the Dalai Lama's statement today
that he may resign if the violence in Tibet does not stop. I hope it
does not come to such a sorry pass.
Amongst his people in exile he has worked to promote participatory
democracy, and it has worked out suprisingly well. So well infact,
that many other countries could learn something by this experiment in
democracy the Tibetans in exile have made. It strikes me that if the
Chinese wish for more peaceful co-existance between Tibetans and
Chinese in Tibet, then introducing participatory democracy into the
region would be a very good way to bring the peoples living in the
area together.
Most of the time, people are not divided along religious lines in
matters of healthcare, sanitation, commerce and schooling. In a
participatory democracy people have the op****tunity to see this as
they come together to discuss common problems, and this fosters trust
in each other and their neighbours. It can build good community
relations across cultural divides.
The Dalai Lama also speaks of Tibet attaining greater autonomy and his
wish for greater religious freedoms in Tibet. I am sure that he is
thinking about the great potential of participatory democracy within
the traditional Tibetan borders, and the benefits China could accrue
from a peaceful land of snow. With participatory democracy, cultural
diversity can be promoted and valued, both Chinese and Tibetan, within
the framework of a strong and unified community.
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