Ask what you can do for your country, not what your country can do for you. This famous line of John F. Kennedy became a monumental line on how individuals can certainly fulfill the promises of democracy. This is about any citizen who can always offer something greater than himself. Some of them are mere ordinary individuals who made worthy contributions to the larger society and made significant impact extraordinarily well.
John F. Kennedy’s historical inaugural address as President of the United States in 1961 inspired and influenced the young generation and adults across the world during that time. For the Americans, they were able to value the relevance of civic action and service as a public good.
“Ask what you can do…” has been a part of many lives, including the citizens around the world. Responding to such line was a crucial turning point for many individuals who wanted to make the world a better place. This vision is the line that inspired and influenced many young men and women to aspire to public service as a way of giving back to the community, an official role to promote the welfare of the people, and to stand up to serve as the voice for the voiceless despite diversity of political landscapes but certainly always in the forefront for inclusivity.
To global citizens, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, or JFK, has been the symbol of democracy. He was the youngest elected President of the United States of America, a Democrat from Massachusetts. Prior to his presidency, he served his country at the height of the Cold War; his foreign policy focused mostly on the Soviet Union (now majority Russia) and Cuba.
The concept of democracy has changed the world order after the Cold War. Specifically, the profound definition can be articulated through multilateral approaches. Scholars around the world made academic writings on democracy that were significant to public officials and policymakers. Sectors such as academia, media, and civil society organizations have impacted the art of democracy to avail an open-ended spectrum of its definition.
Democracy as experienced in different hemispheres, continents, and countries has resulted in various outcomes; different political bureaucracies have resulted in varied results. Scholars of the 21st century are challenged to respond to the bold diversity of democracy. The voice of the people often resulted in a dilemma of results; history witnessed that despite the exercise of citizens’ rights to suffrage, it does not translate the ‘ideal’ democracy that cares for the national interests of the people’s welfare.
The last fifty decades showcased different variations of democracy where people suffer directly from the wrong choices during elections and campaigns. In the process of defining democracy, the success of democracy can be anchored if the leaders are able to propagate development. The “ask what you can do…” mirrors the worth of a public official who is a servant for all.
They say public office is a public trust, yet many officials contradict this principle. JFK’s monumental line reminds us today that true servant leaders are committed to the public good above all things. Good governance is embedded in the transformation of a nation, including its people—not to some, not to chosen individuals, but for everyone. The true worth of leadership is reflected in the social services available for citizens, acceptable infrastructure for public transportation, communications, and even education and housing services, to name a few.
Democracy in the 21st century is a political concept, a form of government, and an indicator of development that continuously evolves. Right now, the youth comprised a bigger percentage of many voting populations across the world.
Remember that you have the power to change the world with simple actions. One advocacy at a time is responding to “ask what you can do.” For others, engaging in campaigns for the environment, promoting teamwork, or simply following rules in your community is already a positive action.
Let the future begin today with doing good and even small things that can change the lives of others. Yes, the time is now!
