Globalization and Democracy - Essay Example

Globalization and Democracy Introduction The increasing globalization has had an immense effect on democracy. The people for the people describe democracy. It also involves the participation of the population in the governance as well as widening their political expression. Globalization has impacted governments in many nations, hence adopting democratic governance. For instance, globalization of democracy from the Western world has spread to African and Asian continents to influence them towards embracing it. Today, globalization has enhanced the political participation of the population hence promoting democracy. The rest of the paper will discuss the impacts of globalization on democracy as well as its cons and pros. Explanation of the concept-logic and assumptions Democracy is very fundamental in everyday governance because it permits for citizen’s participation in governance. Many nations under monarchies have little space for the participation of their citizens and those who oppose are assassinated (Dalpino 4). Some are also imprisoned for life, making it difficult for citizens to question the government. For instance, African nations such as Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya were under the dictatorship of their leaders and had a very little space of contravening the government’s decision. This happened because the nation was not democratic enough to allow for citizen participation. However, some of these nations managed to score high in terms of economic developments even under authoritarian leadership. This is an indication that democracy plays a fundamental role for inclusive governance. The rebellion witnessed in these nations, evidence that the citizens wanted space for expression, and they were pressed to the wall. Many studies indicate that democracy is the best government because it makes the majority carry the day while the minority is having their say (Bartelson 8). For instance, it guarantees an election where the people participate in selecting their representatives and those they have confident as opposed to people assuming the office such as presidency. Through the electoral process, the majority will have their way and the minorities who do not also win will have their say. Democratic governance is inclusive and considers the interests of all at different levels (Scholte 27). Many democratic governments such as the US are assumed to function well by protecting the right of human beings, as well as the minority. This is so because they follow the rule of law that defines them as opposed to monarchies and dictatorial governments (Dalpino 7). Autocratic governments such as Swazi and Saudi among others, are oppressive to the citizens and do not respect the rule of law since the presidency has all the powers. Dictatorial nations lack the constitution that defines the limits and boundaries of the president as well as guaranteeing the individual rights (Scholte 27). Globalization and democracy Globalization has affected democracy of many nations because of its fusion of democratic norms and principles of human rights (Bartelson 9). Today, the globalization has facilitated democracy all over the world by ensuring that nations respect human rights and supports them. For instance, the principle of accountability in relation to human rights abuses has been strengthened by many nations. The arrest of the former Chilean president in London confirms that countries across the border are committed to protecting the human rights (Bartelson 9). Moreover, the established institutions such as International Criminal Court (ICC) works across the board in ensuring nations respect human rights, and abusers are brought under the law. Because of this, the ICC tried former Yugoslav president and extended the cause to investigate the Rwandan genocide and those involved (Bartelson 9). From all these, the impacts of globalizing democracy are seen because it helps in protecting individuals across the nations without considering boundary. Secondly, globalization of democracy seems to reshape the regional institutions such as the European Union, which was initially economic community and has since changed (Dalpino 8). Today, the democratic governments determine membership of the EU, and it aims at promoting democracy among its member states and as a foreign policy. Similarly, African Union was traditionally a diplomatic group, and it is now extending its mandates to forge regional human rights protection and promote democracy. This is in line with meeting the increasing pressure for enhanced democratic space for citizens (Dalpino 8). Today, the globalization of democracy as the only accepted means of cooperation has pushed many authoritarian nations to yield to pressure and adopt democratic governance (Scholte 89). This is because democracy is the genesis of international cooperation, which leads to the benefits. Hence, most authoritarian nations resort to yielding demand to get economic benefits. Moreover, some have yielded to economic liberalization that the US pushes. China is one of the nations that succumbed to the pressure from the US to open its border for international trade (Heine 3). Because of this, the nation got the chance of joining WTO. It meant that China was to start embracing democratic governance to enjoy the benefits of membership as well as to continue doing all its operations. Pros and cons One of the most important aspects of globalizing democracy is the emergence of political elites in the authoritarian regimes. There is a new political and social class emerging from the nations perceived as authoritarian, and this is because of the globalized democracy that piles pressure on such leaders. Globalization has led to improved economic conditions through international trades that have helped create the middle class and intern increased pressure towards democratic reforms (Scholte 39). Moreover, the emerging of the political elites has empowered the larger population initially oppressed to stand for their rights (Scholte 38). Because of this, the political and democratic space has widened. Similarly, globalized democracy has led to more demand for political accountability and humanitarian interventions across the globe (Drucker 61). Today, the enhanced democratic liberalization has put the Syrian government under pressure and those of Yemen, Burundi among others to help save lives and end the ceasefire. This means that nations are coming together and piling pressure to those who do not respect the human rights and constant fights that never ends. The humanitarian interventions that countries like Syria received are because the world is globalizing towards a democracy. Similarly, the democratic governments are advocating for human rights from the abusers such as Saudi that do not respect women. These are positive aspects from globalizing that countries have realized. Besides the above pros, there are some cons associated with the globalized governments. In is argued by many analysts that the US that champion democracy does so for political interest (Drucker 64). For instance, there is a never-ending war or conflict between Palestine and Israel due to border dispute and other things. The US is not playing a central role to end the conflict, but to support one side, Israel. Contrarily, the movers of globalized democracy do so in pursuit of self-interest. For instance, Libya was a stable country, and the citizens were satisfied with all that the president was doing. However, the influence and push for democracy led to the death of the president and subsequent collapse of the government. Today, there is no peace in Libya, and the nation is politically unstable despite the high volume of oil produced. This implies that democracy is not all that a country need since others is peaceful through authoritarian leadership (Drucker 64). Secondly, democracy has its weaknesses and not the solution to citizen’s participation. Constitutional monarchy nations such as England function well, and this also implies to other nations. Besides, what is needed is the support and protection of human rights as well as participation in governance. This can be achieved without globalized democracy. Conclusion Globalized democracy has proved efficient in uplifting the economies of many nations as well as upholding human rights. Democratic governments respect the rule of law and allow for citizenship participation in governance and other issues related to the state. However, the push for globalized democracy sometimes destabilizes government as in the case of Libya. The situation is worse today than before. Works Cited Bartelson, Jens. Political Globalization. Distinktion: Scandinavian Journal of Social Theory. 2014. Dalpino, Catharin. Does globalization promote democracy?: an early assessment? 2001. Online Drucker, Peter. The Age of Social Transformation. Atlantic Monthly, November 2014: 53-80. Heine, Jorge. Globalization and democracy. 2011. Online Scholte, Jan. Globalization: A Critical Introduction. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2005. Read More