The blind direction of the left option in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The latest events in the Democratic Front, as well as the previous announcements of the unification and gathering of the left, have made the questions current - where is social democracy in Bosnia and Herzegovina today and what is happening with it. Only a cursory look at the ruins of the social, political and economic system and the widespread social injustice and massive violations of human rights and freedoms would lead to the expectation that the left in BiH should have a strong foothold, as a reaction to the aforementioned situation. Such expectations have been present for a long time among observers of the political scene and a large part of the international community.

However, last year's protests, in addition to the citizens' great dissatisfaction with the ruling policies of the ethno-national parties, actually showed that the left-wing political forces failed to articulate a suitable alternative to the ruling ethno-national politics, which for decades has proven to be insensitive to the individual problems and rights of citizens. Quite simply, the dominant ethno-national, collectivist policies, which perceive politics as a continuation of war by other means, did not receive a clear alternative that would gather and articulate the views and aspirations of a significant number of citizens who decided to express their dissatisfaction with mass protests.

Instead, left-wing parties tried to compete with national parties on their turf of protecting vital national interests, which, in fact, served to the greatest extent as a cover for the absence of responsible politics and massive corruption. Having accepted the existing rules of the game, it seems that the parties of the left orientation did not even try to build a front, to achieve a wider consensus among social actors who, by the nature of things, are committed to the ideas of social justice, but very often entered into arrangements that have a very close relationship with social democracy. little or no connection, justifying it by the inevitability of politics in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Populist and abstract rhetoric

Of course, the ruling party in the Bosnian entity Republika Srpska has gone the furthest in this, which has only the designation of social democracy left in the name, as a tragic reminder of the complete separation of principles and responsibility towards the voters from practical politics. It is a devastating fact that there are almost no social and economic topics in the political discourse, especially no serious public discussion about solutions, which in a catastrophic economic situation with a huge rate of unemployment and poverty best illustrates the political environment in the country.

Likewise, left-wing parties have not made a clear step forward in the direction of their own democratization and opening to the public and natural allies of the left option. Even some of the left-wing parties were so rigid in this regard that, creating cults of personality from their leaders, they included their names in the names of the parties. In truth, the Social Democratic Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina took the first step in that direction this year, after almost two decades of one-man rule, by organizing - for the first time in Bosnia and Herzegovina - elections in a political party based on the principle of "one member - one vote". However, this is the very beginning of the process. What also does not distinguish left-wing parties from others is actually the absence of vertical mobility, that is, the presence of the same people in key positions and their immutability for a long period of time, which also speaks of the absence of internal democracy. It is precisely the democratization of political parties, bearing in mind the current situation, that is one of the key challenges for the country, and in which left-wing parties, if they want to build alternatives to the existing situation and gain the trust of the citizens, should lead the way.

Therefore, the social democratic option in BiH must begin its reform journey by looking in the mirror. Unfortunately, this reflection is almost indistinguishable from the dominant ruling policies, which for more than two decades have led the country towards divisions, poverty, ubiquitous corruption... in the absence of any profiled and articulated reform policy. Populist and abstract rhetoric, which is based on playing on sentiments and citizens' regret for some good past times, must be replaced by clear and concrete policies and programs, which must address the most important economic and social issues, such as reforming the pension and health systems, reforms in the sector of social protection, public administration and education.

Addressing social justice

These are precisely the major issues on which a public debate must finally be opened and on which the absence of any vision of the current rulers can be seen, who, apart from endless borrowing in order to keep the huge administrative apparatus in operation and some kind of functioning of the state, are leading the country to a dead end in the long term. the situation.

The construction of a stable and modern Bosnian society will not be possible without addressing social justice, widespread discrimination of citizens who - either in certain parts of the territory or in the territory of the entire country - represent minorities on any basis, and the issue of mass violations of human rights. It is on these foundations, after starting the process of internal democratization, that social democratic parties should seek their social foothold, through the creation of a consensus with trade unions, civil society organizations and other natural allies of the left.

It is quite certain that there is a demand for social democracy in the market of political ideas, the only question is when and who will offer that market a product that really contains what is stated in the manufacturer's declaration.

(Al Jazeera)