Delusions of the Left and the Erosion of Liberal Democracy

 Delusions of the Left and the Erosion of Liberal Democracy

 

                    According to the Standard Korean Language Dictionary published by the National Institute of Korean Language, "delusion" (錯覺, chakgak) is defined as "mistakenly feeling or thinking about a object or phenomenon differently from what it actually is." It is a phenomenon in which the mind or sensory organs fail to accept an actual occurrence or fact as it is, resulting in an error. The essence of a delusion is simple: a state in which one's own beliefs or feelings do not align with objective facts. The problem arises when a person trapped in a delusion firmly believes their error to be an absolute truth. When such a delusion expands beyond the individual and intersects with political power that drives a nation and society, the damage is beyond imagination.

                    Looking back at history and current reality, it is no exaggeration to say that leftist forces grounded in communist and socialist thinking are the very group deepest trapped in this delusion. Their delusion does not stem from a simple lack of information or a temporary misunderstanding. Entrapped in the conviction that their ideology is the sole correct answer for the world, it is a deep-seated delusion that denies the actual reality before their eyes, fundamental human nature, and even the basic framework of the rule of law.

                    The representative delusion held by leftist forces is the arrogance that they can arbitrarily control human beings, the market, and even the judicial system with their fixed theories and legislation. They believe that they hold a monopoly on justice and that state intervention can rectify everything. However, in that process, they write off the natural desire for legitimate gain, the autonomy of the market to make independent decisions, and the independence of the judiciary—which is the core of checking power—as targets that must be reformed.

                    This delusion is clearly revealed in the current Korean political landscape through the legislative behavior pursued and forced through by the giant opposition party, the Democratic Party of Korea. On the surface, they champion reform and public livelihood, but in reality, bills that infringe upon the core values of liberal democracy are pouring out. Prime examples include the Yellow Envelope Act, which grants immunity to illegal strikes and threatens legitimate property rights, and the amendment to the Grain Management Act, which ignores the market's supply-demand adjustment function and forces the state to purchase surplus rice. Furthermore, various attempts to shake the independence of the judiciary and curb press freedom stem from the same arrogance to place power under their control.

                    An even greater problem is the attitude originating from the delusion that only they are right. They view themselves as pioneers who see through societal problems, while regarding those who oppose their forced legislation as "forces resisting reform" that need to be enlightened. Trapped in the delusion that only they know the right answers, they ignore flaws in their bills and warnings from the market, continuing their legislative dominance. Yet, as history shows, the ones trapped in delusion were not others, but themselves—captivated by unattainable ideological illusions and unable to see the real world.

                    The consequences brought about by such ideological delusions and legislative dominance are grim. Laws that ignore reality and suppress individual freedom and entrepreneurship invariably lead to severe economic confusion, social conflict, and the weakening of national competitiveness. History clearly demonstrates what tragedy ensues when a power convinced that its delusion is the truth wields the law to manipulate society at will.

                    This is precisely why we must protect liberal democracy. Liberal democracy begins with the humble acknowledgment that no specific person or group can hold a monopoly on the absolute truth. It is a system that recognizes human limitations, respects individual autonomy and creativity, and ensures that power does not run rampant through the separation of powers.

                    In a liberal democratic system, power is divided and monitored to prevent anyone's arrogance or delusion from driving the entire nation into danger. The standard that separates fact from delusion must not be the arrogant ideology of a single group or bills forced through by a majority of seats, but rather individual freedom, objective facts, and strict adherence to the rule of law.

                    Guarding against the delusions and legislative dominance of leftist forces who turn away from reality and lock themselves in their own frameworks, as well as defending the values of liberal democracy based on individual freedom and the rule of law, is the most precious lesson and task we must uphold.