In this century the World has undergone remarkable changes not only in its political structure but also in its cultural, economic, and religious aspects. Democracy declined in only a dozen countries in the previous century, and, in the majority of these cases, it happened after some kind of bloody coupe-de-troit political process. A number of these governments collapsed in less than a decade, frequently due to lack of political will or intense corruption in their respective societies. Before this century ends, there are still communist countries in China, North Korea, Vietnam, and Cuba, that have repressed their inhabitants with a iron hand.
What has occurred in such political alterations? Why is it that democracy has lost its validity? How do we know the collapse of democracy as a consequence of mass political conflicts? The answers lie in philosophy, however, one of the most essential regions is in world affairs. A variety of explanations for the decline of democratic institutions in several countries was given by top intellectuals throughout the last century.
What has occurred in such political alterations?
According to some of those thinkers, democratic transition supposed a step away from constitutionalism toward a preexisting state. They maintained the democratization meant the end of a popular will and mass moves, with all their attendant horrors. Others held that the fast spread of democratic institutions in one nation threatened to destroy individual liberty, which in itself was an obstacle to democracy. Political philosopher Karl Popper wrote that Machiavellian”ideals” made possible”a sort of intellectual slavery,” leading eventually to”the idea that the will of man is no guiding principle.” He further explained that Machiavellian ideals lead inevitably to”tyrannical rule,” leading to”anarchy and death.”
In World History, many theories about the source of democracy have been invented. Among the most influential came in the French thinker Malevere who suggested that democratic institutions fostered a spirit of liberty and wealth that made individuals more keen to take part in collective venture. Others suggested that the spread of Christianity throughout contemporary society encouraged a liberal perspective on issues like sexual and behavioral practices. Others blamed the downfall of ancient Roman democracy on the arrival of the”tyranny” of the rich upper class and the intellectual elite that controlled the authorities. Regardless of what the critics believed, nearly all believed that the decline of democratic associations resulted in higher levels of corruption, crime, warfare and other evils.
How did things change? Some believed that democratic institutions could not resist the pressures from within
How did things change? Some believed that democratic institutions could not resist the pressures from within, especially after the First World War. Others saw that economic globalization and the increased mobility of individuals into the urban center negated the role that leaders and aristocrats formerly played in providing public goods. And ultimately, that the”communist regimes” of China and Cuba came into power and changed the rules of the game, substituting freedom with total authoritarian rule.
Today, democratic transitions happen when important political or societal fragmentation happened (e.g., in Latin America, after the conclusion of the Cold War, if there have been many military coups and mass political demonstrations). These social fragmentation are typically linked to ethnic and religious conflicts or to cultural or communal resentments against specific groups (for instance, ethnic-minority peoples in Latin America). Typically, democratic transition takes place just after radical governments or groups come to power or when popular movements against globalization and against large scale globalisation lead to political power.
What about human rights protection? The promotion of human rights depends on the existence of a strong and inclusive polities with commendable national and global human rights service. Typically, when the elected authorities and the opposition haven’t established credible human rights defenders, they are unable to prevent or protect people’s rights. In addition, most democratic transitions occur after there has been a series of major political and economic reforms and when there is a significant progress in human welfare.
What about human rights protection?
Are democratic transitions compatible with the World’s interests? Certainly not! There are a number of instances where complete political freedom is required, like for states involved in civil wars or even through protracted periods of war. However, the huge majority of human societies require restricted political freedom and this is the reason why interventions in sovereign states, regardless of their political orientation, are all counterproductive. In the end, if individual rights must be protected, a variety of democratic transition strategies must be adopted to make sure that civil and individual liberty are protected wherever necessary. Human rights advocates must work closely with democratic governments, nongovernmental organizations, academia and the business community so as to build support for these principles across the world.