Study Guide on The Rise of Illiberal Democracy by Fareed Zakaria

The Rise of Illiberal Democracy

Introduction to Illiberal Democracy

• Author: Fareed Zakaria

• Source: Foreign Affairs, Vol. 76, No. 6 (Nov. - Dec., 1997), pp. 22-43

• Published by: Council on Foreign Relations

• URL: JSTOR

• Access Date: 24/01/2015 13:59

• Overview: Discussion of the increasing presence of illiberal democracies across the world, highlighting the distinction between democracy and constitutional liberalism.

The Problem of Democracy

• Richard Holbrooke's Dilemma

  • On elections in Bosnia: Potential results including the rise of unqualified leaders (racists, fascists).

  • Essential question: How to address outcomes of free elections that contradict democratic values?

Understanding Illiberal Democracy

• Definition and Growth

  • Illiberal democracy: Democratically elected regimes that violate constitutional limits and deprive citizens of basic rights and freedoms.

  • Examples include: Peru, Palestinian Authority, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Pakistan, and the Philippines.

  • Indicators of growth: 118 out of 193 countries are democratic (54.8% of the global population), indicating a rise from previous decades.

  • Illiberal democracy on a spectrum from moderate offenders (e.g., Argentina) to near-tyrannies (e.g., Kazakhstan).

  • Freedom House Survey (1996-97): Distinction between political liberties (democracy) and civil liberties (constitutional liberalism).

Democracy vs. Liberal Democracy

• Distinction

  • Democracy is typically defined as the process of selecting governments through elections.

  • Constitutional liberalism includes the protection of individual rights, rule of law, and limits on governmental power.

  • Historical evolution of liberal democracy: Separate growth of democracy and liberal values in modern political systems.

Historical Context

• Evolution in Western Governments

  • Post-1945: Western governments have largely embodied both democracy and constitutional liberalism.

  • Historical patterns: Many Western countries transitioned from liberal autocracies to full democracies by the 1940s.

Regional Variations in Democracy

• East Asia:

  • Following the Western pattern; however, most regimes remain semi-democratic or authoritarian, with limited political rights despite economic growth.

• Latin America and Africa: Rapid democratization with poor foundations of constitutional liberalism; examples of human rights abuses observed post-election.

• Islamic World: Risk of increased theocracy and oppression alongside the rise of democratically elected governments.

  • Example: Iran with restrictions on freedoms despite a democratic facade.

The Role of Constitutional Liberalism

• Definition and Importance

  • Constitutional liberalism is vital for protecting individual autonomy from majority rule and abuse of power, contrary to pure democracy.

  • John Stuart Mill and historical reflections on democracy's potential for tyranny.

Global Implications

• Risks and Dangers

  • Illiberal democracies can legitimize repressive regimes and erode older liberal democratic norms.

  • Historical correlations: Past democratic waves led to disillusionment, leading to autocratic backsliding.

• The need for international community engagement: Supporting the development of constitutional liberalism rather than merely advocating for elections.

Conclusion

• Expectation vs. Reality of Democracy

  • Stable democracies require balanced systems of governance resistant to tyranny, emphasizing the relationship between democratic processes and constitutional liberties.

  • Emphasis on the importance of checks and balances in preventing governmental overreach.

• Evolutionary trajectory and the necessity for new political frameworks that accommodate the realities of varying cultures and histories.

References and Citations

• Zakaria’s observations echoing historically prominent figures and foundational documents that shape the discourse on democracy and governance.