Recently, Salai Ni Peng wrote an article about a discussion with villagers in Burma, which reflects how some Burmese people understand democracy. The villagers told him that if they get democracy, the government will help the poor build nice houses, and provide mosquito nets and kitchen utilities. It’s a very simple and sincere expectation, but it shows that work is needed for them to understand how democracy really works.

When he asked them what kind of government system they would like in Burma, all of them said, “democracy.” But no one answered when he asked, “What is democracy?” They are familiar with the word of democracy through radio, TV or newspapers, or through conversations with their friends, but real details are lacking.

In fact, as we know, democracy will not give them everything, nor does it promise to make them rich. Democracy is about everyone’s voice being counted equally, and key decisions being determined by the majority of voters or their elected representatives. And the rule of law.

According to the dictionary, one definition of democracy is “government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.”

A democratic system would put all people on the same road into the future, but how far people get down that road to a more prosperous future will largely depend on their own efforts.

Salai Kipp Kho Lian, a veteran politician and a blogger (vansangva,), wrote, “If the people are given equal rights and equal opportunity, and if they have the rights to freely choose their own government and if all these rights are guaranteed in the country's constitution, then they are living in a democratic society. What Burmese people actually need is the freedom to improve their own lives. If they are given these rights and freedom, the Burmese people can build a prosperous nation on their own far better than what the dictators have done for their country with forced labor.”

Along with the word democracy, the words “help, aid and assistance” are also spreading like wild fire. Yes, it’s important for Burma to receive help/aid/and assistance from the international community for the time being, but what Burmese people need to understand is that such aid is not long term. They must make sure that it’s used wisely for self-sufficiency.

So, as change continues in Burma, it’s important not to forget the need to truly conveying the meaning of democracy through awareness campaigns, particularly in rural areas which represent nearly 70 per cent of the country’s population.