IN different countries of the world there has always been tension in the relationship between traditional and modern political systems. Ultimately one will dominate the other. In so-called ‘mature democracies’ such as the UK and other European countries, for instance, the monarchy still has legitimacy and a degree of political influence even while remaining subservient to modern political institutions of democracy. The key issues here are democracy and development and the search for political solutions that will help achieve these goals. When democracy and development as goals are mixed up with a traditional way of exercising influence, often to perpetuity, a clash of interests is inevitable
In traditional societies the community has precedence over the individual whereas the process of democratisation revolves around individual liberty. For instance the practice of ‘Khang Shnong’ or complete closure of activities so as to attend the funeral of a member of the community or an important meeting called by the Dorbar Shnong is an imposition by the collective on the individual. Violations of Khang Shnong are visited by a fine or strictures from the Dorbar against the individual. In a modern society where private employment poses problems of getting paid leave, it is no longer possible for a resident to comply with the directives of his/her Dorbar Shnong. This is where tradition clashes with the demands of modernity where people are more loyal to their profession than to the community demands in their domestic settings.
More often than not traditional political values are not compatible with forms of governance that advocate democratic principles. The principles of the rule of law, individual liberty and the expectation of competitive politics directly contradict the values of tribal life, implying group assertion, kin-protection and collective effort and therefore may interfere with ‘good governance’, as it is understood locally. That these issues are not being debated in a climate of reason but that jingoism accompanied by music and emotional appeals have taken precedence is a sorry reflection on the lack of maturity of the Khasi polity.
