What do you mean by bipolarity?
To be bipolar is to see everything through
‘us vs them’ lenses. It is the ‘if you are not with me, you are against me’
syndrome. As I discussed in the last chapter, our symptoms of bipolarity have
become more and more evident in the past ten years. Since we evolved into a two
party system in 2008, political partisanships have demarcated much of what we
go through as a society. It has painted many issues as though there are only
two ways of looking at things. It reduces everything to black and white; ‘I am
right, you are wrong’.
A two party, bipolar framework leaves very
little room for maneuvering. It becomes about one side pitted against another,
leaving no room for alternative views. In their zealousness to gather supporters
over to their side, both sides of the political divide are seen to demonise
those who do not fit into their narrow definitions of ideas. Rather than make
sure their own side is up to par in terms of principles, plans and actions;
their strategy is constricted to making the other side look as bad as possible.
A bipolar framework pushes political parties and representatives to bend facts,
exaggerate, and lie according to what would make them look better as compared
to the opponent.
Why
must we resist bipolarity?
We must resist bipolarity, because if we do
not, it will have certain negative consequences on our society. Whether or not
we do move forward as a nation, our politics will be characterised by
manipulation and cheap politics. Rather than focusing on the goal of excellent
leadership, a bipolar framework promotes leaders and followers who do things by
political expedience. It will be about political positioning rather than
sincerity. With bipolar approaches, whoever wins in the end, it will no longer
be about real merits or who will take better care of our country, but about who
can play the game better.
Bipolar approaches are also destructive in
the long run because it promotes partisan thinking and lazy, careless decision
making. Rather than study the principles of an issue, people support or shoot
down an idea based on which side he or she supports. In the long run, we breed
uncritical people who are incapable of making intelligent decisions.
A two party framework like the one we have
now pushes people into two extremes. All other views are alienated, even those
in the middle. If we do not resist bipolarity, we are heading towards becoming
two separate groups growing stronger and stronger, with a deepening gulf
between us. History has shown this can be a precursor of civil hostilities.
This is not the democracy we want. We want to move forward as one nation, not
as a nation divided.
How
can we resist bipolarity?
First, we need to fully be aware of this reality -
there are more than two ways of seeing things. Things are not just either black
or white; they are much more colourful than that. Once we realise that, then we
must seek to evaluate ideas based on principle rather than on whose side is
saying it. We need to find out as much information as we can before deciding;
consider both sides, study the facts. To do this, the best way is to read the
news, not just mainstream news but also alternative ones and vice versa.
Secondly, as we do this, we need to be bridge
builders in society. As a young nation, we can expect each action towards
change to have various reactions towards it. A bipolar approach will cause
increasing dichotomy in our society. But we need to move away from this; stop
antagonising people who do not hold the same view or who do not choose either
one extreme or the other. We need to have more bridge builders who will see
right as right and wrong as wrong, who will consider things in the right
balance, who value Unity and will speak up with middle path alternatives.
How else can we break bipolar views?
Both sides of the political divide must learn
to honour the good in the other side. It is important for us to have respect
for our opponents, even early martial arts traditions teach the same thing.
Samurai tradition, for example, teaches that we must have respect for
honourable opponents, even our worst enemy; silat too has a strong element of
respect for opponents. However, this is seriously lacking in our society today.
When someone has a different opinion, instead of agreeing to disagree, we tend
to demonise them; our goal becomes to break them down at all cost, rather than
focus on discussing and considering the issue to find a good way forward.
Secondly, to break the pattern of bipolarity,
young leaders must learn not to mimic their hardened elders. They have to
remedy the habit of seeing things as black or white. Really good politicians
and leaders see the long term vision and act wisely and accordingly; small
minded ones aim to win in the immediate small battles.
Third, we each have to admit mistakes on our side.
It is okay to admit our mistakes. We need to break the pattern of trying our
best to destroy the other side rather than face up to our own issues. When we
admit mistakes, the other side may use that against us because they are still
working based on a bipolar framework, but we need to know that breaking the
cycle of bipolarity is more important for our country in the long term.
Fourth, learn to choose the better idea even if it
is not yours. Put our collective growth first over our individual ambitions.
Admit it even if another side has a better opinion and a better course of
action. The principles of the idea itself should take priority over which side
you belong to. It is only those who are unwilling to think deeper that choose
to take one side or the other and fail to see that there are many other
positions in between. The aim is to move forward, and to move forward as one.
Fifth and importantly - practice empathy.
We can only break bipolarity if we learn to understand what the other side is
saying, even if we may not agree with them. Practicing empathy in the everyday
is how our country can move forward in Unity – let’s start with ourselves as
individuals.
And sixth, choose and practice the middle path –
be a bridge builder.
Anas Zubedy
Kuala Lumpur
<3 it mr :)
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