Zabih Ullah
Government of the people is largely intended in the definition of democracy. Years of certain kinds of governments evolved throughout the history resultantly interchanged in democracy. After 16th century, the concept of nation states was engendered and nations were slated to gain their recognition as an independent state. The movement had taken a central gear and moved with enormous struggles. All quarters of the world grounded their utmost efforts to take place in the front row in this struggle of national recognition.
In 1648, with the covenant of Westphalia this voyage was continued and dozens of new states came into being. Since then, an occupied ideology of democracy, the nations are trying to maneuver their future plans by adopting democracy as a role model.
Although the values of democracy have tremendously prevailed across the globe but there are still some backlashes that prevent democracy from being nourished as it was desired.
After World War II, two gigantic powers invoked cold war by trespassing each other through proxy wars. In this fight of bulls, several states were tarnished. The play out of the cold war engulfed the entire world with warring circumstances. States were mending their relations with likeminded quarters and remained firm with the ideology of the particular quarter. Owing to this, insight into the Korean War, Vietnam War, Cambodian war and Afghan war fought on the basis of two ideologies_ communism and Capitalism_ by propping up their adopted values.
After the split of the USSR, the proponents of democracy were rejuvenated with new values and called their system’’ End of the History’’. A little can be converse over the middle era because they were excused for inconvenience due to the resettlement of their system.
Fast forward to the 21st century. Democracy took a more central role and pivot for the newly established countries but despite an open and uncompetitive field it did not nourish as it was perceived.
A litmus test of democracy would be taken in 2024 as the year is considered of election. About 2/3 of the world population are bidding to the electioneering process and would cast their votes to decide their fates.
The US, one of the founding fathers of democracy, would hold elections which are thought to be more democratic elections. After the 2016 elections of the USA, the US elections have conspicuous outlook as the Trump era was marked undemocratic, moreover the 2020 elections were largely blamed for manipulation of democratic norms and being rigged by Joe Biden. The upcoming US election is not bode pleasant as well. The Biden administration is accused of tilted setup and engaged in inhuman activities with the violation of human rights. The elections of 2024, has not a crystallized future due to large scale bombardment of Israel has been supported by the US-Europe raised queries over the democratic setups.
Elections in the UK would also be held at the end of this year. Conservative party of the UK has dominated the government for more than a decade. But now it seems that the ship of the conservative party is about to sink due to uncertain policies and intermittent changes in the top slot of prime ministerial ships. Following the downgrading in their popularity, the conservative party also sided with the barbaric and coercive state of Israel. The overall theme of democratic values is disbanded because they largely reiterate the human rights saga but they could care less about a large-scale human rights violation in Palestine.
Moreover, Russia’s bid to election is more like an authoritarian one as the Putin administration does not allow anti Putin voice and the election result seems in favor of Putin.
Similarly, a world’s largest democracy would also go to the polls by deciding its destination. India is portraying a grim picture too with the containment and manipulation of human rights Modi’s government embarked on a move under which the opposition leaders and workers, minorities and people of Kashmir are seizing, incarcerating, intimidating and beating.
Following the above democratic moves, Bangladesh has already announced one sided results by assigning the prime minister seat to the three times Prime Minister Sheikh Haseena Wajid. Post-poll analysis showed low turnout of voters. Due to the authoritarian rule of Awami League, the competitors were incarcerated and inhibited from the voting processes.
At home, the situation is not different. The general elections would be held in February but the nominal democracy is patina with grimy attires. Pre-poll rigging is uttering, popular political party leaders are behind bars and intermingling of government institutions is obvious. Today’s victims are the offenders of yesterday as in 2018 an elected PM were dethroned due to his dissimilar opinion with the top tiers. The victims of yesterday are heroically supporting their offenders. The analyses about Pakistan do not seem in the favor of democracy too.
Beside them, there is a long list of countries which are going to the ballot box to elect democratic representatives with undemocratic ways.
Wrapping up the entire discussion, the world is filled with undemocratic values in one shape or another where the gist of democracy is unseen. It sounds pleasant and melodious that 2024 is an election year but I objectively disregard this year as a democratic year.
The writer is visiting Lecturer of Political Science at Govt postgraduate College) interested in current affairs
