Dipke-Ranka: Civil Society Doesn’t Come With a Government ID
The controversy involving Dipke and Ranka of the CJP is larger than an altercation over the attempted inspection of a government school. Beneath it lies a fundamental question of constitutional democracy: Can those who claim to speak for civil society also assume the powers of the State? There is nothing undemocratic about citizens questioning government. Parents can question a school's functioning, students can protest, teachers can complain and civil-society organisations can expose administrative failure. They can demand records, seek accountability, mobilise public opinion and approach courts. But democracy rests on a distinction that cannot be erased in the name of activism: the right to question authority is not the right to exercise authority. If citizens believe a government school is being badly administered, they can demand an inspection. They can seek information under the law, approach education officials, organise parents, protest peacefully or go to court. What they c...
