Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina should listen to Aristotle

What was true to the Athenian democracy in ancient Greece remains germane in a fledgling democracy like Bangladesh today. After many years in both government and opposition both Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and former Prime Minister and now leader of the opposition Sheikh Hasina are showing the signs of the "corrosive power of time." Time for renewal of democracy in Bangladesh has come and they should listen to the great sage of the antiquity and step aside, allowing new leaders to take over. If they want to retain the family tradition, they should pass the torch to their sons if they have leadership qualities. There is nothing wrong with dynastic democracy. U.S. President John Adams was followed by his son John Adams Jr., President George W. Bush is the son of President George Bush, aspiring presidential candidate Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is the wife of former President Bill Clinton and the legendary Kennedy family members are always in politics. The progenies of powerful politicians can successfully carry the burden of leadership if they are motivated by public service and not simply by the prospect of wielding power for personal ends.

Politics in Bangladesh has degenerated into squabbles between two longstanding leaders and parliamentary politics has been replaced by street fighting between their supporters. Let's hope their children will bring about the needed change and renewal without which democracy might itself degenerate into oligarchy what the great sage of the antiquity warned long ago. Aristotle also said: "Man is a political animal in a sense in which a bee is not, or any other gregarious animal. ... For man is the best of all animals when he has reached his full development, so he is the worst of all when divorced from law and justice. Though man is born with abilities which he can use in the service of practical wisdom and virtue, it is all too easy for him to use them for opposite purposes." This is why power in democracy must not be exercised for personal gratification and for too long.