Liberal democracy grew to reject authoritarian forms of government and to defend the freedoms of speech, association and religion. It especially influenced the development of western democracies and all political parties committed to the democratic process.

Liberal democracy overcame the challenge of authoritarian systems, especially those based on fascism and communism.

Absolutism remains naturally hostile to liberal democracy as the spirit of responsible freedom is today being again called upon to protect and improve our liberties. In a way, these conflicts are necessary to renew the liberal spirit as per post 1945 experience.

Malta is a potential habitat for absolutism.

Dominated by imperial rulers of the temporal and the ‘numinous’ kind, we have only permitted the vitality of liberal democracy to brush us erratically. Our outward trappings of democratic décor hide an authoritarian culture that seeks every opportunity to suffocate a desire for deliberate being. The experience of Lord Strickland, for example, continues to amaze me; at how Malta’s fundamentalist culture made this true-blue Catholic Conservative in Westminster, a red-blooded radical in Malta.

Seven days may be a long time in politics. A 100 years is a mere minute in history.

Dunstan Attard

ST PAUL’S BAY