Failure of Democracy in Third World Countries

“Democracy is the worst form of government, except all the others that have been tried.” — Sir Winston Churchill

Democracy is one of the ultimate ideals that modern civilizations strive to create, or preserve. As a system of governance, democracy is supposed to allow extensive representation and inclusiveness of as many people and views as possible to feed into the functioning of a fair and just society. Democratic principles run in line with the ideals of universal freedoms such as the right to free speech. A functional democracy is supposed to check unaccountable power and manipulation by the few at the expense of the many. But, unfortunately, that has not been the case with the Third World countries.

People in these countries are still being ruled by corrupt, abusive and autocratic governments. Here the question arises that when democracies are, on average, richer than non-democracies, they have a better record of fighting corruption and that so many people in so many different parts of the world are prepared to risk so much for this great idea, then why it has failed to produce social development and economic progress in Third World countries?

In the following paragraphs, a brief analysis of the causes behind the failure of democracy in Third World countries is being presented.

1. Dynastic politics

Personalization of politics is a notable feature of Third World countries and it is, perhaps, the biggest hindrance in the path of true democracy in these countries. For instance, in India, which is the largest democracy in the world, Gandhis and Nehrus have dominated the political scene since country’s independence. Similarly, in Pakistan Bhuttos, Sharifs, Makhdooms, Legharis, Mazaris, Bugtis, Sardars, and Chaudhrys have transferred their crowns to their next generations. Thus, emergence of any new faces in Pakistan’s politics is always suppressed.

In other Third World countries, too, influential families have dominated the political system. Sri Lanka’s Bandaranaike family, Indonesia’s Sukarno family, Bangladesh’s Mujeeb and Zia families, for example, have a key role in running the governments of their respective countries.

2. Military’s role

Dictatorial rules have also hampered the smooth flow of democracy in the Third World. For instance, in Myanmar, a bunch of army generals have been in charge for several years, while the lady whom the people look up to, Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, languished in house detention. Thai junta has been the ruling power in the country for a long period of time. Pakistan has seen three martial laws and two emergency periods.

3. High illiteracy rates

As mentioned earlier, a democracy can flourish only when it has an enlightened, educated and politically alert electorate. Democracy cannot take roots in any country where masses are illiterate. Educated people create a middle class or a civil society. This civil society then checks the power of politicians and ruling elite. This is the key to any development or governance. However it is perhaps the most difficult thing to accomplish in all Third World countries. The people in these countries do not have access to modern education. Even the education imparted to them is not calculated to produce intelligent and enlightened citizens. All these factors are hardly conducive to political consciousness. Amidst al this, the ballot ceases to be of any value. Such is the case with Third World countries where illiteracy rates are high.

4. Unrepresentative politicians

In Third World countries, most politicians are not true representative of the masses. Instead of working for the welfare and development of their voters, they try to pursue their own vested interests. They work in the interest of the elite rather than the underprivileged masses. It is especially so because electioneering is an expensive affair. Lots of dollars are required to win an election and when a person spends huge sums to win an election, he would first try to get his money back. This leads to corruption and corruption leads to the worst form of democracy which Third World countries are, unfortunately, having since long. Politics is the exclusive prerogative of the ultra-rich in the developing world, that is, the feudal lords, industrialists and the big businesses. The masses and the members of the middle class cannot take part in elections.

5. Countless political parties

Another fact attached with the Third World countries is that there are either no established parties based on ideology or there are a large number of parties based on ethnic, regional, religious, linguistic basis. Large parties are controlled by families with a history of political leadership. These leaders control the parties like family enterprises. Small parties go wherever they can get a place in the power equation. There are several small parties in India and Pakistan who have always been a part of the ruling group for many years. They just change their direction to wherever the sun rises.

6. Lack of political socialization

In Third World countries, politics is almost a no-go area fir the general masses. In these countries most people live in rural areas where communications are poor and many villages remain deprived of all news media and are, therefore, indifferent to political developments and governmental upheavals. This suggests that education of politics is also important. The US, for example, attempts to teach children about their system of governance.

7. Extreme loyalties

In the Third World countries, tribal chiefs, feudal lords, land-owners or a local spiritual guide are blindly followed. The common man shows unflinching loyalty to the tribal chief or the village Chaudhry or landlord who is a more vital symbol of authority than the faraway, intangible democratic leader. His hopes and desires do not go beyond boundaries of his village because his outlook is narrow and vision cramped. He cannot imagine a government shaped and controlled by him and working for him. In return, their chosen representatives help people settle small land issues, secure jobs for the constituents and help in lending small amounts of money and manage police matters. There is hardly any chance for any other person to run against the entrenched political leaders. In this global village where competition is fierce, only the most talented and competent people can steer a country in the right direction.

8. Foreign interventions

Another factor that is a big cause of failure of democracy in the Third World countries is the intervention of world powers. Apparently, it looks as if the West is facilitating the people’s will in these countries, but the reality is starkly different. The West for the sake of its own vested interests appoints puppets to run the governments. They give dictation to these puppet leaders who, then, work for their masters against the desires of those who voted them into power. Therefore, sovereignty of these countries comes under question.

For instance, when General Pervez Musharraf took over the reins of Pakistan, he was vehemently opposed by the West as well as the United States. But, since Musharraf was useful in the US-led “war on terror,” some Western media eventually started to refer to him as President Musharraf, even though originally he was referred to as General Musharraf. Ironically in Venezuela, former General, Hugo Chavez, was frequently referred to as “General Chavez,” to give an impression that the country is a sham democracy, being run by a general. Thailand has also seen a similar situation to that of Pakistan. And time again will have to tell if the military dictatorship is genuine in its desire for establishing democracy or not.

9. Exploitation of religious sentiments

Religion plays an important role in the lives of most people living in Third World countries. In India, for instance, there are many parties – currently-ruling BJP being the biggest example – that exploit people’s religious sentiments to get into power. They preached Islamophobia and vowed to ban cow slaughter in India. The situation was so grim that the Indian the Supreme Court had to intervene when it ordered that no politician can seek vote in the name of caste, creed, or religion and said that relationship between man and God is individual choice; and the State is forbidden to interfere in such an activity.

In Pakistan, too, theologians and religious leaders have gained political power through this source. Pakistan’s intelligentsia and theologians are generally at loggerheads with each other. This has been one of the factors responsible for the delay in framing the constitution. It cannot be doubted that some of the insincere and half-educated religious leaders block and delay much-needed reforms.

10. Incongruent functioning of state organs

Another big cause of failure of democracy in Third World countries is the incongruent functioning of state institutions. This menace not only hampers proper functioning of the government by delaying the implementation of government policies but also negates fast-track development through red-tapism. Office work is made so complicated that it becomes impossible for the people to get their rights guaranteed in a country’s constitution. The civil servants inheriting the British traditions have done little to bridge the wide gulf between themselves and the public whose servants they supposedly are.

The Antidote

Given the above discussion, it can be said that democracy must enter the hearts and minds of people before it can enter the parliament or be written in a constitution. It has to be cultivated as an attitude formed as a habit and acquired as a way of life before it can be adopted in practice. Democracy is possible in the Third World if the organs of the state work according to their prescribed job, if the countries do not accept dictation from the west, if freedom of media is guaranteed, if rule of law prevails, if the concept of welfare state is practiced, if human rights and will of people are given importance, and most, if personalization of politics and dictatorial rules are controlled.