KARACHI:
On a global level, the notion of democracy is becoming fragile and appears to be declining. Individuals elected through an election, which is an essential element of democracy, are diverting their path towards populism. During the 17th century, political philosopher John Locke derived the concept of democracy, which was later reflected in the fourteen points presented by former US President Woodrow Wilson. However, today, democracy is losing its essence in both developing and developed nations.
In the name of democracy, leaders are diminishing its salient features such as individual rationality and liberty, human rights, equality, institutional dignity and separation of powers among institutions. According to the Global State of Democracy 2021 report, democratic regimes are converting themselves into authoritarian regimes — which is termed democratic erosion. One of the most notorious examples of this lies in our neighbouring country India which continuously violates human rights in Kashmir.
In the US, former President Donald Trump promoted white supremacy and xenophobia. However, his dispensation was a reminder of the true spirit and presence of democracy. While democracy is declining and losing its original spirit, is it possible for the world would to see a new model of government? Or this is the end of mankind’s ideological evolution as argued by American political scientist Francis Fukuyama in his book, The End of History and The Last Man, that western liberal democracy is the final form of human government.
Asad Jabbar
Hyderabad
Published in The Express Tribune, December 18th, 2021.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
