llX wrote on 7
th Apr, 2011 at 1:26am:
I want to see peace, prosperity and democracy in Laos.
Those three abstract nouns form 60% of the Lao national motto of:
"Peace, Independence, Democracy, Unity and Prosperity"
for a few years after the revolution, the Lao national motto was:
"Peace, Independence, Socialism, Unity and Prosperity"
but over 20 years ago, they changed it to:
"Peace, Independence, Democracy, Unity and Prosperity"
Note which comes first, which then follows, which is last, etc. Interesting I thought.........and not placed there in random order I believe. Peace is first.....Prosperity is the goal. The others are steps towards that goal.
They now have three (Peace, Independence and Unity) firmly locked down.
Democracy: they made a lot of progress, but it depends how you define the term. They have secret ballots, one person one vote elections at village, province and national levels. This month, the elections for the National Assembly (Parliament) will be held. Those individuals elected then vote for the President, Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers. Everyone over the age of 18 is eligible to vote and stand for election, including non-Party members.
The 5th. - Prosperity: Also a lot of progress with seven to eight percent economic growth for the past dozen years. Medium term goal is to be dropped from the list of 'least developed nations' by 2020.
They seem to be taking this goal extremely seriously.