LettersThe UK is an example of why democracy badly needs rethinking
- Readers discuss how Boris Johnson’s tenure is an emblem of what is wrong with democracy, and why Hong Kong parents must go beyond buying exam workbooks to raise good learners
As one of the world’s oldest democracies, the United Kingdom has now found itself bogged down in a democratic quagmire.
After an endless barrage of gaffes and scandals, a string of ministerial resignations finally pushed the beleaguered British prime minister Boris Johnson to step down. Nevertheless, his downfall does not bring an end to the political turmoil facing the British government, but is a sign showing that something is wrong with the country’s centuries-old democratic system.
Also, his government put forward highly controversial bills, including the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 and the Elections Act, which are believed to undermine democracy and human rights.
Thanks to the widely unpopular first-past-the-post voting system, the Scottish National Party garnered 48 seats with only 3.9 per cent of the votes, while the Liberal Democrat won only 11 seats despite clinching 11.6 per cent of the votes in the same election!
Many of us are used to simplistically equating “one man, one vote” with fairness and democracy. However, in reality, “one man, one vote” may yield ridiculous yet irreversible results like the aforesaid.
Of course, first-past-the-post is not the only undemocratic element in British democracy and the UK is not the only democratic polity where the elected government has wreaked havoc in the country. What the political turmoil in the UK tells us is that elections and democracy need to change as society changes. In a world that is more complex and chaotic than ever, if you still consider democracy a universal value, maybe it is time to unthink and rethink what it really means today.
Adrianna Mak, Tai Po
Exam workbooks are no ticket to student success
Hong Kong people tend to have a utilitarian mindset, so it’s little wonder that how-to books such as investment guides, biographies and self-help books are usually among the more popular titles.
In particular, exam practice books and workbooks are some of the bestselling volumes for an obvious reason – parents’ obsession with kids’ exam grades. They are willing to spend lavishly at the event buying exam exercises and non-fiction books in a bid to foster good reading habits and revision routines in their children.
We need to ponder the following questions: are these two categories of books alone effective in promoting reading and learning? Would such an excessive emphasis on exam practice and exam-related reading discourage reading or even defeat the purpose?
To answer the above question, we need to make a distinction between extensive and intensive reading. The former entails reading a huge quantity of books across a plethora of subjects, whereas the latter emphasises an in-depth analysis of texts, usually for academic purposes.
Extensive and intensive reading are by no means mutually exclusive. Instead, they complement each other.
From a young age, kids need to develop a passion for reading and an affinity for books, which are the prerequisites for intensive reading and academic learning. By reading extensively, kids can build up their literacy, critical thinking and thirst for knowledge.
Books containing pictures and colourful illustrations can cater to a wide range of readers, engage them and aid comprehension. As kids’ vocabulary and reading abilities grow, such scaffolding can be taken away. Once extensive reading is part of kids’ skill set, their intensive academic reading ability will develop under the guidance of teachers at school.
Jason Tang, Tin Shui Wai
