Democracy is a term that has become increasingly convoluted over time. It is a word that many people respect, but only a handful understands its true essence. What is democracy? Is it relative or universal? It certainly comes in many forms and doesn’t appear as universal as one would hope; democracy is nothing short of a complex idea. The default understanding stems simply from its etymology as, ‘Power of the people’. However, recent history has shown that this definition is inadequately vague and of losing stature. It is indeed the only system we have, as Churchill so aptly observed, “No one pretends that democracy is perfect, […] democracy is the worst form of government except [for] all […] other[s]”. So what does democracy – or its impetuses – need to entail?
When adopting any political system there are complex sets of pre-requisites and factors that must be kept in mind, such as the culturally relative environment. Across much of the Muslim world, the concept of democracy has not yet found a strong foothold. The aim of introducing democracy in the Muslim world and the Middle East successfully has many challenges ahead. The democratic system that inspired the United States’ governance was drawn from the French system; one that catered to the Western mind-set ascribed from Western norms and practices. That is fundamentally why it is here questioned whether it can be applied to the East, which differs so significantly historically and socially. It therefore seams intuitive for its application to be malleable so it has the ability to compensate for relative differences.
Democratization throughout history has come in waves, it has proved contagious and differing pre-requisites have led to – somewhat – successful democracies of one sort or another. Eastern Europe saw states fall under differing elite-civilian power struggles, with the stagnation of an economic system common to all. Differing was Latin America, which saw contracting economies that proved the impetus for largely civilian led revolutions. But what is required for the Arab Springs to lead to democratic stability – if that is the aim – when there is no model or narrative to follow? If ends aren’t met these revolutions could be remembered for the unnecessary loss of life. With so much ethnic conflict and tribal rule in these parts of the world, it is difficult to see democracy’s path forward. One can only hope that those who come in to power learn from their predecessors and not take the people for granted. We all know how Gaddafi and Mubarak ended up.
The region has a rich history and is now blessed with the potential to prosper. Despite this the region’s history has not seen any real practice of democracy, which has now translated into a region of new politics with the same old problems. Western states share ideas about democracy because there’s a lot of shared culturally, such as those between France and The United States’ mentioned above. The East now appears to be advocating a system that has been born out of Western ideals. It is bound to face obstacles caused by evident cultural differences. I hope that the peoples’ desire for democracy brings them the change they want. If not democracy’s reputation could be tarnished, leaving an immensely disappointed region with uncertain futures.
The underlying question throughout all this is one that needs qualification: is there hope for democracy to flourish in the Muslim world? Some argue no, whilst others yes. I would like to entertain an answer through an enlightening study by Professor Eric Chaney, who studied these issues in the Middle East. Chaney observes that the democratic deficit exists today in regions that were conquered by Arab armies after the death in A.D. 632 of the Prophet Muhammad. Moreover, lands that the Arabs controlled in the 12th century remain economically stunted today. These areas supported a system where Arab imperial control meant that political authority would be centralized with a weak civil society.
The key ingredient in the building of a successful democratic state is therefore a vibrant civil society. This ingredient is missing from many Muslim countries today, partly due to military power going unchecked. Historical factors seem to be playing against these countries; however, it is never too late for change. If democracy is the warranted end, then the means require the scrutiny of power and the accountability of power’s highest echelons. Investing in people and the institutions that support their interests are the orders of the day and are the factors that governments need to start realizing. If they do not, the alternative is the continuation of bloody revolutions popping up now and in the future.
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