Seriously, I am Thrilled that Wikileaks exposed the foreign policy of the US in such an obvious way. Thrilled beyond words! And not because I hate Americans and want to see them go down, not at all! Quite the opposite! I am very fond of the U.S., and this says a lot coming from an ex-member of the communist party. It is the international political system that I dont like. It is politicians who think they can control everything that I despise. It is the dirty games that are hiding behind glamourous events and negotiation meetings that revolt me. We all suspected- knew! that all these things were happening. We all had a slight idea on how diplomacy works.. The plots and the pretentious good-will.. But to watch the curtains drop like that, to get real hands-on information on what has actually been happening in the international scene.. Priceless isnt it..?
It is a huge step towards transparency and accountability of the government. Two of the major components of a true democracy. Citizen's awareness of what is happening leads to more scrutiny and increased participation of the public in government decisions. You diplomats and high officials better be careful on what you say and do.. The citizens will find out and if they dont like it, they can bring you down. Because people have the power. (even if sometimes they dont care enough to practise it). When a government knows that everything they say and do will be scrutinized by the citizens who vote for them, they will take more careful action. They will stick to their alleged principles and values. They will not cross the line. They will play by the rules. They will think twice before enganging in dirty political games.
This however, requires that an informed and active civil society emerges, to keep the governments in line. Active citizenship is the key to social change, and even when the opportunity for change comes served in a plate, like it came now with wikileaks, it means nothing unless the civil society grabs it.
Wikileaks made my day.
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