In recent days, several groups and individuals have decried the attack on freedom of expression that could constitute, depending on the amendments adopted, the Law aimed at protecting elected officials and promoting the unhindered exercise of their functions (the bill of law 57). Media representatives, community organizations, community movements, unions, researchers and experts all spoke in public spaces.
It’s impossible to dispute their legitimacy when these people talk about perceived dangers. That said, it is interesting to note that none of them dispute the existence of a serious problem and the need to find solutions to it.
Throughout the resignations of competent and appreciated elected persons, the psychological and physical attacks suffered by them from all levels of government, the growing number of elective positions left vacant or elections by acclamation, it is our democratic institutions which are increasingly in danger, weakened.
Incivility and illegal and aggressive behavior are very real, and must be addressed urgently. But they are only a result of broader social phenomena, only a restricted demonstration of what is going on more deeply.
What are the conditions allowing the birth and then the normalization of these behaviors? What should we think of the division reinforced by social media and their impact on public debates? The increasingly visible radical movements that they generate? Are growing social inequalities a fertile ground for anti-system currents of thought? How do recent crises and natural disasters affect the state of mind of the population? Do public authorities succeed in highlighting the actions they strive to achieve for the people they represent? How can we explain the well-documented erosion of the trust of many citizens in their institutions, the media, and elected officials?
It is with these questions in mind that we must think about what happens next. We must obviously make all necessary efforts to stop behavior that takes us away from the fundamental principles of living together and democracy. However, I believe that we will truly achieve this by examining the root causes that allow such behavior to take root in our societies. Solutions to a problem with such multiple causes necessarily require concerted and intersectoral actions. We cannot treat these contemporary societal ills in a one-dimensional or piecemeal manner.
As for Bill 57, obviously everything can be improved. We all hope that the work continuing this week in the parliamentary committee will allow all parties to be reassured and confident in the face of a bill with laudable objectives and means to be specified.
Fortunately, the events of recent weeks seem to have succeeded in mobilizing several sections of civil society at the same time – I named a few of them above – who must imperatively participate in the fundamental debate to be put in place if the We really want to look at what is eating away, slowly but surely, at all our democratic spaces.
Greater inclusion of all individuals, in all spheres of life in society. Greater citizen participation in collective bodies and decisions. This is already a great way to start working. We are all concerned.