The Universal Value

Since the American and French Revolutions, two views of liberty have been in contention:

Universal Rights: These revolutions expressed universal rights and values, as stated in the American Declaration of Independence, asserting rights to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" for all men, endowed by their Creator, and secured by governments deriving power from the consent of the governed under the Laws of Nature.
Western Concepts: Freedom and democracy are Western concepts limited by culture and not universally applicable. Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's prime minister, advocated Asian values (order, family, community) and cautioned against indiscriminately imposing systems on societies where they wouldn't work. He argued against imposing alien standards on other countries, citing China's history of autocratic rule.

Cultural Skepticism

Asian Values: Academic analysis supports Lee's skepticism, arguing for distinct Asian values incompatible with Western liberal democracy. Lucian Pye (MIT) suggested Asian societies lack individualism and prioritize family/group loyalty, deference to authority, and order over conflict.
Latin American & Middle Eastern Views: Cultural skepticism extends to Latin America and the Middle East, portraying them as steeped in cultural traditions (absolutist, elitist, hierarchical, corporatist, authoritarian) inherited from Spain that hinder democratic rule.
Arab World: Jeanne Kirkpatrick (Reagan's ambassador to the UN) expressed doubt in the rationality of Arab decisions, citing fundamentalism. Elie Kedourie argued that the Arab world's Islamic traditions are alien to constitutional and representative government, including popular sovereignty, elections, secularity, and autonomous groups.

Democracy Promotion & the Clash of Civilizations

Failure in Iraq: The failed democracy project in Iraq is seen as confirmation of Samuel P. Huntington's "clash of civilizations" thesis, warning against ignoring fundamental civilizational divides.
Western Uniqueness: Huntington emphasized the unique Western values and institutions (Christianity, pluralism, individualism, rule of law), disagreeing with universalism and warning that diffusing Western values requires force (imperialism). He advocated recognizing Western intervention as a dangerous source of global conflict.

Arguments Against Cultural Limits to Freedom

Universal Aspiration: The book aims to address whether the whole world can become democratic, requiring a "change of the heart" and valuing principles like popular sovereignty, accountability, freedom, and the rule of law. It questions whether the spirit of democracy is confined to Western culture.
Philosophical & Religious Arguments: Challenges cultural limits to freedom with philosophical and religious arguments, including non-Western thinkers and leaders. Public opinion data shows support for democracy globally, aligning with trends in international law and treaties.

Defining Democracy

Intuitive Understanding: Many perceive democracy as the right to choose leaders in regular, free, and fair elections, but questions arise about inclusivity, voter participation, and openness to diverse parties.
Personal Freedom: Democracy involves individual freedoms (speech, press, religion, property) and protection of minority rights. It requires the rule of law, where all citizens are equal before impartial judiciary-administered laws.
Political Scientist Perspectives: There's no consensus among political scientists, policymakers, or citizens on defining democracy, leading to "thin" and "thick" conceptions.

Thin vs. Thick Conceptions of Democracy

Thin (Minimal) Definition: Joseph Schumpeter defined democracy as a system for political decisions where individuals gain power through competitive struggle for people's vote (free and fair elections).
Thick (Comprehensive) Definition: A system ensuring substantial individual freedom (belief, opinion, speech, assembly, internet access), protection of minority rights, universal suffrage, electoral openness, legal equality under the rule of law, independent judiciary, due process, institutional checks on power, and a vibrant civil society with control over the military.

Electoral Democracy vs. Liberal Democracy

Electoral Democracy (Minimal Level): People can choose and replace leaders through regular, free, and fair elections, enabling change if the majority organizes effectively within the rules.
Limitations of Electoral Democracy: Elections can coexist with human rights abuses, constrained freedoms, discrimination, weak rule of law, corruption, and state-dominated media. It helps achieve liberal values but doesn't guarantee them.
Liberal Democracy (Higher Plane): Achievement of the ten "thick" dimensions, encompassing individual freedom, minority rights, legal equality, an independent judiciary, institutional checks, and a vibrant civil society.
Pseadodemocracy: Formal institutions exist (elections, assembly, courts) but the system is rigged, preventing the people from voting leaders out of power.

Challenges to Democratic Systems

Meaningful Elections: Elections must bestow real power to govern. Systems where ultimate power resides with unaccountable figures (religious leaders, monarchs, militaries) or hollow governments dominated by foreign powers are pseudodemocracies.
Electoral Fairness: "Free and fair" standards require low barriers to political entry, freedom to campaign, and protection against fear/intimidation. Defining these standards is difficult, raising questions for political killings or arrests.
Competitive Authoritarianism: Political systems with skewed playing fields may descend into competitive authoritarianism due to violations of minimum democratic criteria. Even liberal democracies have inherent advantages for incumbents (media access, fundraising).
Constant Vigilance: Demands constant vigilance to maintain democratic quality. Abuses and competitive advantage don't invalidate elections if voters can "throw the bums out" through normal political means.

Criteria for Electoral Fairness

Administered by neutral authority
Competent and resourceful administration against fraud
Law enforcement impartiality toward parties/candidates
Access to public media for all contenders
Non-handicapping electoral rules or districts
Independent monitoring: Voting and vote counting allowed
Protected ballot secrecy
Universal adult vote
Well-known counting procedures
Fair process for resolving disputes

The Role of International Observers

Limited Denunciation: International observers often avoid denouncing superficially competitive elections as rigged beyond redemption. Often elections are deemed reflective of voter will, even with widespread fraud.
The electoral process Encompases more than votes on election days

Classification of Regimes

Electoral Authoritarian: Individual and associational freedoms are limited. Elections are filled with fraud.

The Democratic Paradox

Even if elections are meaningful, power should be rested on the accountability
Must be a chance of winning for the parties that dont win.

Democracy and Wealth

Seymour Martin Lipset's theory: Richer countries are more likely to sustain democracy (conventional wisdom).
Adam Przeworski's Study: Found a link between development level and the stability of democracy (1950-1990). Democracies in Upper-middle-income countries never failed. Very poor countries have short life democracy.
Outdated theory : Democracies in lowest-low income are sustaining.
**Possible dismissal: ** Democracies will be sustained even if they dont last.

Democracy and necessity

Sen shows that democracies do not have famines due to free information. Democaies also cannot dismiss citizens economic needs. He shows elections allow for prime ministers to be taken out of power.

Champions of Democracy

Mark of a universal value.

Democracy is a Western Concept

As championing Political Freedom In the modern-sense cannot be found anywhere in the pre-enlightment period. The focus should be set that instead are the constituents of the compound.
Confucius recommened telling truth and opposing the prince.
Celebrated philosophies such as works from Chinese philosopher Meng-Tzu and a Korean religion Tonghak.
Generating a tradition of opposting Despotism.
*Sen's demonstrated of pluralism , respect, tolerance
*Islam : Tradition of tolerance within islamic society.

Human Rights Reports

Demonstrate the Democracy has hardly reached the arab states.. Governance ust be representative and fully accountable to protect the people's preference
The advocates of the cultural limits come with that of authoritarian leaders
Claiming power to the people as they are the unique voice of their society. Legitmacy to interpret the Burmese as not having Candor.

The Spirit Of People

Another way to see is to what extent would democracies aprove the authoritarian way

Overwhelming belief that Democracy is the best in the rest and Muslim regions
Idea of a strong leader still is in high numbers but most of all people want more respect for authority.
Despite broad view the data is hard to test

Muslims and democracy

Muslims are as supportive as Non Muslims.
Central Asia has little difference amoung group in support.
Religious doctrines are not a fixed doctrine but continually evolve
Range of Arab schloars have been challenging the freedom deficit for years as of recently. Recognizing the political freedom and lack of progress of it within their country.

Asian Values

The belief that they manifest more authoritarian, communist and illiberal Political values.

As levels prefer Democracy levels close to ones in the west.
*Hard to destinguish bettween the two

Eroding values, The need to fall back

Economic development , People become wealthier , Educated ect ect is something to look for rather than the past.

The Spirit Of People

Another way to see is to what extent would democracies aprove the authoritarian way

Overwhelming belief that Democracy is the best in the rest and Muslim regions
Idea of a strong leader still is in high numbers but most of all people want more respect for authority.
Despite broad view the data is hard to test
To elaborate further,
- Public opinion surveys consistently show that a majority of people in various regions, including Muslim-majority countries, believe that democracy is the best form of government.
- However, there is also a notable preference for strong leadership, which sometimes conflicts with democratic principles.
- The desire for respect for authority figures is prevalent, reflecting cultural values and historical experiences.
- The challenge lies in reconciling these preferences with the principles of accountability, transparency, and participation that are essential for a well-functioning democracy.
- Data on public attitudes towards democracy are often complex to interpret and can be influenced by various factors, such as socio-economic conditions, political context, and survey methodology.
- It's crucial to consider the nuances within these opinions to understand the extent to which people are willing to embrace democratic values and institutions.