Democracy is considered to be the most difficult and formidable construction of governance. Democracy “is government by the people in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.” In the phrase of Abraham Lincoln, democracy is a government “of the people, by the people, and for the people.”[1] It is an ideology, which has spread worldwide, believing in the freedom of the people, that everyone should have a decent standard of living, and a voicewithin their country. Democracy has provided for all these things, especially giving rights and protection to their citizens and more.

However controversial it may seem, democracy has proven to work in several cases. Yet, there is an exception as to how many countries practice democracy but have not truly embedded it into their own legislation – an example being Pakistan. “Some countries successfully made a transition to democracy, others collapsed and many more fell – and remain – in the category of problematic democracies.”[2] Then, there are others who seek to use “democracy” as a reason to begin wars, in order to fight oppression, or because of corruption and personal greed.

 The 20th century proved to be remarkably beneficial for democracy. The first World War ensured the toppling of many monarchies, including that of Germany, Russia, and Austria. These countries then either looked towards becoming a republic state, or a democratic one, or a communist one. All the other countries that were broken down into pieces, distributed, divided, or made independent, chose their own form of government. Many countries chose democracy, judging by the success of the United States of America and the fact that democracy comes with a Global Capitalist Economy. An example being Switzerland, which adapted the ideology of democratic governance, ultimately became one of the most powerful currencies in the world: a big win for all the democratic countries. Democracy is considered the cure that will save and change the world.

 The civil society plays a major role in being a foothold democracy can stand on. However, too many voices and opinions given by the people and elected members of the parliament leads to a clash of ideas, hence making it impossible to resolve a problem. This is a major setback for democracy, and is responsible for delayed decision-making. Communism is democracy’s biggest enemy; completely the opposite of everything democracy stands for. Democracy is a right wing ideology, whereas communism is part of the left wing. Many believe that a successful democratization will be the transformation of the state.

“A strong civil society generally means a satisfying, flexible democracy.”

 The oldest accepted ideology in the west is democracy, which has been nothing but successful in accomplishing itself as a major superpower. The capitalism it has inspired – and the boost within their economy – has made the USA extremely authoritative and dominant. The civil society plays a major role in carrying democracy, ensuring elected members are held responsible for their actions. The civil society is a strong, active, passionate society, which is ready to hold the state responsible and liable at any time. This act greatly helps in avoiding corruption and protects individual rights whilst also assuring a higher social capital. A strong civil society generally means a satisfying, flexible democracy. However, countries such as Pakistan, struggle with holding corrupted politicians accountable.

 Due to the high illiteracy rate in Pakistan, one could argue that without any educated civilians, it cannot be a true democracy. People believe they have a right to vote whilst living in horrible conditions, have no equality amongst themselves, and inhabit a still-developing country. Politicians use the act of democracy to convince civilians that they are holding free and fair elections. They manipulate the public using false promises and which receives them votes which then ultimately – once they are elected – “conveniently” forget their word.

 This is mostly due to the illiteracy of the civilians who are ‘primitive’ and easily deceived. This is partially the outcome of the corruption within the country as well as the lack of a powerful civil society. Civil societies perform the crucial task of providing external analysis of domestic and regional political developments,including relations with neighboring states and the status of human rights in society. ‘The scope of civil society analysis needs to be expanded and deepened with aim of keeping governments in check and stimulating democratic transition. An active civil society is one of the key elements of democracy. One can hardly imagine a democratic state without a developed civil sector.”[3] Pakistan is an example of a country which has attempted to achieve this concept yet has not yet had a successful democracy takeover, and it will continue to undergo these hardships until a change happens whereby a civil society comes together ensuring democracy can truly exist.

Another form of corruption within society is the deception that Presidents or Prime Ministers use in order to convince the masses that their actions are justified. An example being the former president of the USA, George Bush, who allowed the people to believe he was saving Iraq from suppression and dictatorship. Bush lead armies into Iraq, commanding the mass destruction upon the country, having many Americans believe he was doing this in order to save the Iraqi people from oppression and giving them freedom by destroying the hold of a dictator upon the people.

“Eventually, it became obvious that the war with Iraq was completely against the United Nation’s laws of the protection and safety of civilians. It was a war against every humanitarian pillar represented in democracy.”

Bush had also convinced the people that Iraq held weapons of mass destruction, that were likely to be used against them eventually. “The Bush administration gave three additional reasons that war was imminent with Iraq: Saddam Hussein’s support for terrorism, the fact that he may give weapons of mass destruction to the terrorists he supports, and the brutality he had visited upon his own people.”[4] These statements were given to the American people in order to maneuver them into supporting the war. Eventually, it became clear that this war was about self-gain and due to profitable reasons. An entire country, Iraq, was completely bombarded, abused, and taken over. “Despite the fact that intelligence existed to prove that terrorists and weapons of mass destruction were not a threat from Iraq, President Bush pushed ahead with his plan to remove Saddam Hussein purely because he wished to do so.”[5] Eventually, it became obvious that the war with Iraq was completely against the United Nation’s laws of the protection and safety of civilians. It was a war against every humanitarian pillar represented in democracy. The action of the injustice war exploited the corruption within the democratic system of America. The war had shifted the hold of suppression from Sadam Husein to George Bush. The Iraqi war was ultimately a massive contradiction and created many disagreements across the West.

 

Democracy’s biggest enemy would have to be communism – the polar opposite of the basis of democracy. The liberal government believes in the freedom of the market, encouraging private ownership, and has kept a respective distance from the private lives of the people. Since World War One, when President Hoover had been too involved and helpful towards the people, many Americans complained that this is not the act of democracy and that the government should allow the people freedom and to not create a dependence on the government for aid, but rather inspire independence through hardships.

 Democracy is an ideology for being responsible for the state as a whole, rather than individual lives. On the other hand, communism believes in controlling people’s lives and nationalizing industries, not being involved in a free market, but rather keep absolute economic equality amongst the people. This ideology has created a dependence on the government from the people thereby allowing its control over the lives of its citizens. Russia is a communist country, which created many tense relations with relatively democratic countries. Democracy was struck with fear that the ideology of communism might spread and abolish liberty, hence the Cold War. For decades, Russia and America were in tension with one other, expecting each country to make the first move towards war. “Communism is a socio-economic system that stands for the establishment of a classless, egalitarian and stateless society. Democracy is a political system of governance either carried out by the people directly or by elected representatives.”[6] The difference between the two ideologies is explicit, therefore depicts the fears the two have against each other.

Democracy has been the most complicated ideology. It bases its foundations on a substantial and a firm civil society as well as a versatile nature. Even though threats of corruption are hidden within democracy, it has still managed to distinguish itself as an impressive ideology, tracing its roots back to ancient Rome. However, some countries that aimed to achieve this liberal political system failed.Nonetheless, democracy still managed to spread successfully across Europe, America, and certain parts of Asia. Democracy has several innate flaws such as the majority of the votes being able to implement their desires, whereas the minority’s wishes are often dismissed. Illiteracy is another enemy of democracy since, without education and free and fair elections, a true democracy can never exist. In spite of the setbacks, democracy has risen above expectations, providing liberty and rights to the people as it steadily progresses. However, rights that we – as citizens – have is more of an illusion which aims to convince us into thinking that people are in charge. The people is what gives the government power and, equally, the people can take the power away from them. A strong civil society needs to acknowledge these actions. Democracy is a paradox which has not fulfilled its ultimate goal of being the Utopia of our time, and has yet to prove whether it will be or not.

---

Article by Ameera Gul Lot, author of A by A.com

Biography:

Ameera is a highly analytical Political Science and International Relations student with an interest in philosophy and psychology. As well as her studies, Ameera is the author of A-By-A where she writes about a range of topics, including current affairs, history and motivation.

Places to Follow Ameera:

Website: A by A.com

Twitter: @A_By_A_Blogs

Facebook: A by A Blogs

Instagram: @a_by_a_blogger