The Evolution and Challenges of Democracy: From Ancient Greece to the Modern World
Democracy’s Ancient Roots and Modern Evolution
Democracy Under Siege: The Modern Struggles of Governance in the Age of Technology and Populism.The concept of democracy originated with early Greek writers who used the term ‘demos’ to refer to ‘the people’ or ‘the many,’ primarily encompassing the disadvantaged and property-less masses. In ancient Greek city-states, democracy did not imply political equality but rather a bias towards the poor. Participation was limited to male citizens over the age of twenty, excluding women, slaves, and foreigners. It took over two millennia for the idea of democracy to be fully realized in the modern West, with universal suffrage only being established in the United Kingdom in 1928, in the United States during the 1960s, and in Switzerland in 1971. Today, democracy is a globally aspired political system, with nearly every country attempting to demonstrate its democratic credentials.
Challenges to Democracy in the 21st Century
The last century witnessed significant advancements in democratic consolidation, but the current century faces new and pressing challenges. The most prominent issue of the past two decades is the information technology revolution. The rapid spread of information and the pervasive influence of social media have significantly impacted societies worldwide. For example, Pakistan, with a literacy rate of around 60 percent, has 72.9 million social media users.
Social Media’s Dual Impact on Democracy
In theory, social media should enhance democracy by liberalizing information and fostering debate. However, demographic changes, urbanization, and a youth bulge in the Global South, particularly in Pakistan, have contributed to political conflicts. These issues present significant challenges to parliamentary institutions and democratic processes.
The Rise of Hyper-Nationalism and Populism
Democracy has also been undermined by hyper-nationalism, often manifesting as heightened religious or ethnic nationalism. This has led to majoritarian states and societies that threaten minority groups. Even in constitutionally secular countries, there has been an excessive use of religion in politics. This trend is evident in both India and Pakistan, where religious and ethnic divisions have been exacerbated. Similarly, former President Donald Trump’s campaign in the United States, with its focus on protecting the rights of white Americans, illustrates this populist shift.
Populism and its Impact on Democratic Norms
The proliferation of populism has further complicated democratic processes. Populist leaders have capitalized on technological advancements and social media to spread selective historical narratives and distorted realities. This has led to increased polarization, undermining essential democratic norms such as debate, discussion, and dialogue. Populism often promotes rhetoric and division over constructive engagement and consensus.
Economic Disparities and Global Conflicts Affecting Democracy
Global conflicts and economic disruptions have also taken a toll on democratic values. The rise in global inflation, driven by supply chain issues and the concentration of wealth among mega-corporations, has exacerbated economic inequalities. The increasing number of billionaires contrasts sharply with the shrinking middle class. In the United States, the military-industrial complex exemplifies these disparities. Additionally, the rise of digital currencies has enabled non-state actors to operate globally, further threatening democratic values of tolerance and coexistence.
The Decline of Democratic Faith Amidst Global Elections
As Time magazine noted, 2024 has been described as a critical election year with nearly half of the global population participating in elections. However, faith in democracy has diminished as fair elections and democratic principles have faltered in many of these states. Even the Western world, often seen as a bastion of stable democracy, faces unprecedented challenges. The Arab Spring, initially viewed favorably, revealed underlying economic and political threats to powerful nations, a trend mirrored in recent conflicts such as the Israel-Palestine war.
Economic Interests Over Democratic Values in Global Diplomacy
Recent global diplomacy has increasingly prioritized economic interests over political and democratic values. For instance, despite significant human rights violations under the Narendra Modi regime in India, the United States has continued diplomatic support due to economic interests. Western governments have maintained a conspicuous silence on these violations, highlighting a shift in priorities.
The Rise of Populism and its Threat to Structural Reforms
In response to the rise of populism, ideologically driven political parties have often adopted populist measures themselves. This approach impedes necessary structural economic and administrative reforms. Populist regimes favor short-term popular decisions over sustainable initiatives that could address national and global crises in the long run.
Artificial Intelligence’s Threat to Democratic Processes
Democracy fundamentally relies on debate, discussion, and dialogue. However, these processes are increasingly being managed by artificial intelligence. Historian Yuval Noah Harari warns that the rise of AI poses a threat to democracy, as decisions made by opaque systems undermine voters’ ability to understand and challenge them. This shift from human-centric decision-making to AI-managed processes jeopardizes the core principles of democratic governance.