Since 1990, Mongolia has been widely held as an example of a developing country that, despite the odds, managed to accomplish a peaceful transition to democracy after seven decades of communist one-party rule. But is Mongolia’s democratic transition complete? The recent unrest following an election dispute calls the progress made into question and warrants a closer look at the health of Mongolian democracy.
After the losing party’s accusations of electoral fraud – disputed by international election observers – scores of rioters (many intoxicated) attacked the headquarters of the winning party and the neighboring national art gallery. The ensuing mayhem resulted in five deaths, hundreds of arrests, and more than 1,000 priceless pieces of art destroyed or missing. But to many Mongolians the government’s reaction was as disturbing as the riots themselves: declaring a four-day state of emergency and shutting down independent TV and radio broadcasting went against the core principles of the country’s democratic transition.
What happened? Although a political conflict turned out to be the igniting spark, the deeper reason for this show of popular discontent is economic and has to do with the quality of governance. The NYT comments,
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Though many Mongolians say the riot was a criminal act, the anger most likely bubbled up from economic frustrations. Inflation has soared to 26 percent, Mongolians complain about corruption, and officials disagree on control of mining rights to the country’s immense mineral wealth. (…) “Poverty and corruption are eating away at our democracy,” said Tsedevdamba Oyungerel, a Stanford-educated politician who ran for Parliament but lost.
The example of democratic Mongolia has been especially encouraging to other developing countries that may otherwise seem unlikely candidates for democracy. Mongolia is the most sparsely populated country in the world, half of its population still lives in round felt tents, and livestock outnumber humans eight to one. Its peaceful transition to democratic elections proved that democracy does not have any innate geographic or social limits. But the recent disturbances highlighted something even more important: achieving electoral democracy does not complete a country’s transition. In fact, it is only the beginning of the path of reforms that must strengthen democratic and market institutions if democracy is to survive in the long run.
Without solid checks and balances and respect for the rule of law, even democratically elected governments can revert to non-democratic practices. Without solid institutional basis for functioning markets, the lack of economic opportunity leads to popular frustration. How Mongolia handles resolving its contentious election will be crucial. And this test of its democracy should also show whether the country will continue down the path of improving governance and implementing market-oriented reforms.
Published Date: July 15, 2008