Is democracy the best option for all nations?

Question

To clarify: There are many nations around the world without basic infrastructure, roads, education, plumbing, hospitals. In such situations leaders are continually elected based on superstition, religious/tribal affiliations etc. And it seems like a barrier to progress. I believe firmly in democracy in nations with an established infrastructure, but I'm wondering if that infrastructure needs to be in place before democracy is viable.

Answer 1

No.

However, a working democracy or democratic republic doesn't require much infrastructure to succeed. When America was founded, 230 years ago, it had no more real infrastructure than most third-world countries do now.

What it does require is a willingness for everyone to get along and to accept the decisions of the majority, and a tolerance for others so that majority decisions are made benevolently and with everyone's bests interests in mind.

This is why Iraq is not ready for a democracy. The population can't work together and accept their differences sufficiently to make it work without external force being applied.

Sadly, if the US keeps heading in the direction we've been going in for the past decade or so, we may join them as being too partisan and sectarian and adversarial to make it keep working with out application of military force.

Answer 2

All societies and cultures are different and at different levels of development and sophistication. What may work in an advanced culture like the UK or USA may not necessarily be appropriate for a less developed society.

Take a poor African state as a case in point. Illiterate and uneducated they will follow the guides of their elders and follow the village or tribal dictates, not necessarily understanding the ramifications of their decisions. In this kind of environment some kind of proportional representation may be more suitable or even a total submisssion to the 'learned' view may work better for them.

Democracy is only workable when each individual can make a reasonable and intelligent judgement on that which is being debated.

Answer 3

I've heard that history repeats itself and that most govenments fail after about 200 years. (I don't have documentation - just something I've heard). If this is true, ours has lasted longer. I like to think that a democratic repuplic, such as ours, is the best form of government because I enjoy having the freedoms that it offers. At the same time, however, there are those people that are allowed to vote that are uneducated and are unfamiliar the issues we are voting for/the people we are electing. They choose to vote for a Democrat or a Republican strictly based on the party and this bothers me. In spite of this, I wouldn't give up the freedoms democracy allows us to be dictated to by one or few individuals that may also have views or opinions that would not allow me the freedoms our forefathers fought to give. Yes, Democracy is best for all!

Answer 4

I would actually agree with you in that if you look at the Middle East few countries are more than one hundred years old. I would argue that democracy is the answer but we're expecting these countries to catch up overnight. Until a people can accept that it's people that matter rather than sect, or clan, or tribe, or nationality little will change. Democracy is the best option but it will take time.

Answer 5

Democracy I believe is everyone's right.

It easy for me to say that sitting in the world's oldest democracy, i.e. the U.K.

It has been known though that leaders of the 'great democracies' i.e. the U.K. and U.S.A. , have in their time suspended the right of Habeaus Corpos, or others imposed martial law, when the elected government deems it does not have the powers to control the country in times of crisis.

Yes, in answer, as a goal, but not practical in all times.

Answer 6

it depends

On intelligence of voters...

Can you imagine having the country run by jordan, Peter Andre or Pamala Andersen just as they were popular in the media and hitler got in democratically as did many psychotic gay and sexaully active murdering girl islamic governments...


Whilst in other countries the ruler whilst not democratic had the countries best interests at heart and whilst not perfect they were better off and did not have all the wealth taken out by corporation like Castrol who when booted out the bastita mafai government and took control over nationalised industries fo the profits went to the Cubans namely in excellent healthcare and education.

(hence america hating him as want their money) Cuba is ONLY poor due to the american blockade and many democratic governments are puppets of the americans and not working for their peoples interests...

Also many decisions and policies are not made as its the right thing to do but to win votes ie executing someone who did not deserve it.

How about the afgan standstead hyjackers... if you looked it up the crew and passengers where never in any real danger... all were just tryig to escape the murderous taliban which we created... the passengers were their friends and family and they were fleeing the country as being democracy campaigners the taliban wanted them dead... so basically theyu borrowed a plane to save their families and selves...

Now many politiciains would have them sent back just to win votes...

Answer 7

Yes as long as it represent each individual nation as they see it. So Iran Democracy is Iran Democracy and Hamas was elected in the most free election there is in the world Its Palestinian Democracy we have to respect each nation democracy even if we disagree with them. Democracy dose not mean nations must be in love with ugly Israel

Answer 8

When America becomes a real democracy and actually allows its citizens to vote for the President and not an Electoral College, then we can make that decision.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

Democracy has been shown to be the most successful type of governance in history. However, trying to convert an unwilling society to it, has been shown to be difficult, but not impossible.