In many countries of the Global South, the author found unique forms of democracy and participatory processes have emerged that differ from those typically found in Western nations.
However, I question whether Western democracies still serve as models for the world. I perceive a lot of double standards in their narratives, bordering on propaganda, and a growing disconnect between the people and their governments in Europe, the U.S., and elsewhere in the West.
This disconnect leads to a loss of faith in democracy and democratic institutions, including political parties, the media, and governments, as evidenced by a Dimap poll in Saxony, Germany. Consequently, in the realm of political representation, the right and far-right are gaining ground and have become the main political force in several European countries. In Germany, the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) is gaining ground so rapidly that a sense of despair has emerged within the political establishment, prompting discussions about potentially banning the party altogether.
The State of Democracy in the West and the U.S. Promotion of Dictatorships
A few months ago, Professor Mark Bovens of Utrecht University asserted, “Today, almost three-quarters of the global population lives in an autocracy, and only 13% live in a fully-fledged democracy under the rule of law.” With this statement, Professor Bovens was specifically referring to Western nations, including the US, Canada, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Japan. I will analyse the democratic flaws in some Western countries in the second part of this essay.
The U.S. has long positioned itself as a leader in promoting democratic values and supporting democratic movements. However, U.S. military interventions, support for authoritarian regimes for strategic reasons, or meddling in the domestic politics of foreign countries to........