We Need A System That Brings Goodness

Introduce democracy and you will solve a nation’s problems, right? If only it were that simple. Leyla Tavernaro Haidarian, an international journalist, motivational writer and filmmaker says "The prospect of democracy is commonly thought of as the culmination of maturation for any nation. And the topic is as hot as ever: The citizens of some countries like Iran are raising the call for “freedom”, while others are celebrating years of freedom from oppressive regimes. The world watches America’s democratization efforts in Afghanistan, and news networks all over the world are discussing how social networking sites like Twitter affect freedom of speech and democratic governance on a global scale. (Watch the film at the end of our story)

Leyla Tavernaro Haidarian, an international journalist, motivational writer and filmmaker in Johannesburg, South Africa.TW:  Leyla, you and your husband Ryan have recently finished a documentary “Beyond King of the Mountain”.  What is it about?

LEYLA:  “Beyond King of the Mountain” is a documentary short about the evolution and future of democratic governance.  It features Gordon Brown, Nelson Mandela and interviews with: Iraj Abedian, Nick Binedell, Gregory Dahl, Adam Habib, Michael Karlberg and Xolela Mangcu.  Ryan and I had the privilege to create a film that depicted Baha'i elections, which are an example of a mutualism model of democracy. In fact, as far as we can tell, it is the only functioning and practical example of mutualism democracy that we could find."

Ryan Haidarian is a director/filmmaker who started his career in Hollywood directing films, documentaries, music videos and later TV series. Leyla and Ryan run Doubletake.TV in Johannesburg, South Africa.We asked Leyla to explain her thoughts on the production and she added … "The international Baha'i community has over 50 years of experience with this kind of democracy, even if it is still in its infancy. Ryan Haidarian and I also filmed Baha'i elections in villages and cities in South Africa and our aim was to show the process unfold from the grassroots. However, as we began piecing together the film, we realized that in order to get audiences to appreciate this electoral model and its value for the future of democratic governance, we would have to step back a bit and revisit some of the basic assumptions and beliefs that many people have around democracy and our relationship to one another as a human family. It was too much to spring the Baha'i electoral process on them without sounding idealistic and naive in our little bubble if you know what I mean. That is how this film came about. It makes no direct reference to the Baha'i electoral model, but it paves the way for a discussion of it. We open for discussion with questions like: What does democracy mean? ...and what is the difference between the idea/ideal of democracy and the way we apply or structure democracy in various different countries around the world?"

“My husband Ryan and I had the privilege to create a film that depicted Baha'i elections, which are an example of a mutualism model of democracy. In fact, as far as we can tell, it is the only functioning and practical example of mutualism democracy that we could find." (click photo to enlarge)TW:    Leyla, exactly how is the film meant to spark thought and influence discourses of society? 

LEYLA:  “Our new film "Beyond King of the Mountain" is about "democracy" and what it can mean in this day and age. “By the people for the people” sounds attractive in theory, but its current application is increasingly perplexing analysts, politicians and ordinary citizens all over the world. Democracy as we see it today emerged under a particular set of circumstances at the onset of the industrial revolution in the West. The changes that have happened to our world since have placed new and unexpected challenges on many democracies, both young and old.”

(click photo to enlarge)TW:   But is this really the end of the road? Award-winning filmmakers Leyla and Ryan Haidarian make a case for an evolution in the democratic notion. “Beyond King of the Mountain” unpacks some of the current challenges our democratic systems are facing and specifically proposes that their future may lie in a mutualism, non-adversarial paradigm. It suggests that democracy has come a long way in realizing the ideal of brotherhood and equality but will, perhaps, have to move from a win/lose to a win/win paradigm if it is to address humanity’s needs. It questions the fact that we view democracy exclusively as a contest and suggests that “by the people for the people” can be realized in other, more inclusive ways, thus stimulating a consultation on the possibilities.

Note:    For our readers who may wish to understand more fully just what is a mutualism democracy, it has been described as a “civil society.”   The concept of "civil society" has been used by major donors in the world of international development to justify the rechanneling of aid resources away from public sector services to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in an era of structural adjustment. Mozambique provides an especially valuable case study of the civil society experiment in Africa, given its dramatic conversion from state-centered development to civil society and free markets over the last decade.

 Official Website: Beyond King of the Mountain from doubletake tv