10 Minute Essay (3/25)

Democracy and Developing Nations

Can democracy succeed in developing nations? I think the answer to this question is a resounding yes. It is possible for democracy as a movement to find the support that it needs to thrive within a developing nation. A true democracy may even benefit the people of a developing nation, if properly installed. However, there are a few addendums to this argument. First, the democracy must be a true democracy, run by the people. To attain this status, it must have a claim to authority and legitimacy created through free elections. Secondly, it is an unfortunate fact, but a people must have some level of education. This does not extend merely, or exclusively to literacy. It would be grossly unfair to assume that those who cannot read unfit to rule themselves. However, to be a true democracy, the government must be able to maintain open communication within the nation, as well as with the outside world. Governments that claim to be democracies, yet refuse their people access to a diversity of outside viewpoints and media, are probably not maintaining a true democracy. Freedom of the press in any nation ruled by the will of the people is vital. If individuals within a nation are not aware of their own social issues, then they cannot vote in a way that will lead to an end of these social problems. Therefore, the government does not represent the will or needs of the people, and therefore does not have any claim to the title of “Democracy.” However, when people do have access to free press and equal representation within government, the resulting system can reflect and work for the will of the people—this type of Democracy would be highly responsive and benefit individuals in developing nations.

However, one has to be careful with the idea of democracy, which is too easily treated, especially by the current United States administration, as a suave for all issues of developing nations. This is, however, not the case. I had the opportunity to speak with a group of Massi from Kenya in an open forum. These individuals spoke of struggles within their nation to gain equal representation in their government. In the end, many small ethnic groups with wildly diverse needs and agendas had to form fragile coalitions, which could quickly fall apart. This government did not preserve minority rights within the democracy. It is too easy for a democratic nation to overlook the needs of the minorities in favor of the voting power of the majority. One has to balance this trend with the positives of democracy. On one hand, democracies give individuals new freedoms and influence on government. On the other hand, sometimes minority groups are outvoted and marginalized. Therefore, while democracies can benefit some groups, it can be at the expense of others. The role and general success of democratic movements is, like any other global issue, a matter of extreme complexity.