I'm seeing fear, doubt, and cultural pride. With the exception of Sam Rainsy and Sirivudh who have been unfairly forced out from the Khmer Parliament, others are talking in circles and relapsing back into the cozy cultural climate of internal corruption, unaccountability, and self-serving excuses. In spite of advanced degrees, strong feelings for patriotic sentiments, and overzealous revolutionary ardors, I don't seem to see any display of real convictions, outstanding moves toward democracy, or even personal disciplines of greater moral and intellectual stamina. In Asia, the conventional wisdom of tradition, respect of elders, and the worship of ancestors dominate the whole cultural landscape. It's business, as usual, the mandarin way.
Democracy is an ideology, a conviction, an attitude, and a set of procedures and mechanisms.
The heartbeat of democracy depends on freedom of thoughts, the allowance for individual expression, and the respect of civil liberty. Without a deliberate attempt to foster the the different elements of democratic institutions and to strengthen the principles of human rights, progress of any kind will remain unbalanced, lopsided, and concentrated into a few powerful hands whose views may be old-fashioned or outright obsolete. And without a justifiably fair distribution of wealth, power, prestige, and influence among the masses of the general population, the ethical sum of the moral and spiritual cohesion of the whole nation will remain largely untapped and hopelessly unreachable. Finding the universe of democracy is a matter of discipline, patient application, and persistent efforts to remain steadfast and sensitive to the needs for freedom from responsible citizens. Much more than communism, totalitarianism, and absolute monarchy, the regime of democracy requires both moral and intellectual disciplines in order for it to become fruitful, meaningful, and productive.