Last month at a party, I was explaining to someone what CIPE does—namely democracy assistance—and he remarked that he didn’t think it was right to impose democracy on other people and that people in some places don’t want democracy. Well, I agree it doesn’t make much sense to impose democracy on any country. This is not what CIPE does, nor could it possibly work. Democracy—by definition and in practice—depends on the ownership, sovereignty, and participation of the people.
From historical experience, we have seen that where democratic institutions of governance have been imposed by colonial powers, they have generally failed to take root. In those countries where democracy has spread and endured, this has occurred through a domestically driven process of struggle, learning, popular participation, and institutional refinement.
Do people want democracy? In polls from all regions of the world, majorities have indicated that democracy is the best form of government. Of course, the levels of support for democracy vary and cannot be taken for granted. People have many different understandings of how government should work. Yet, two fundamental desires are very strong and widespread: the desire for a government that heeds the people’s needs and the desire for freedom. These desires can be met in different ways and it is up to each nation to determine which way will work for them.
So what, then, is democracy assistance all about? It’s about giving voluntary, indigenous groups opportunities and know-how to join in the political process. It’s about helping them act in constructive ways that empower the constituents they represent and let them have a say in shaping the governance of their country. We can help, but ultimately democracy building is hard work that local groups do for themselves and their own people.
Published Date: January 04, 2008