Criticizing as a form of civic duty

THERE is this other virus that is infecting many people. It is one where being critical of government in periods such as this is equated with being unpatriotic or irresponsible. Facing a global pandemic, and as we all contending with the entire Luzon being placed under an enhanced community quarantine, and as an increasing number outside Luzon are doing likewise to prevent travel or people from other places from getting in, it seems that many people would also like to put on lockdown our rights to free speech and to air our grievances.

Those who subscribe to this view argue that we should all shut up and hold off on our criticisms of government, since we would not be helping if we keep on complaining and ranting. They live in a world where they interpret criticism and being a responsible citizen as a zero-sum game, an either/or proposition, like water and oil that will never mix. As a political science professor, I feel sad for this kind of worldview. It speaks of how we miserably failed in inculcating in our citizens the virtue of good and responsible citizenship. We fail to impress on many people that being responsible means being engaged, and being useful in the operations of our democratic institutions. Key to any democracy is the presence of a feedback mechanism where citizens communicate to and inform our leaders and decision-makers our concerns, and what we perceive as things that are not being done properly.