One Size Doesn't Fit All: Democracy is Not Always the Best Form of Government

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Democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried. So said Winston Churchill and who would disagree? One man, one vote, the rule of law, equality and a free press. These are the Enlightenment principles the West has developed over the centuries and fought tooth and nail in countless wars to preserve or to propagate.

But is the assumption that democracy always leads to a more liberal and tolerant society correct? Many would argue that it can lead to quite illiberal outcomes especially where there is profound ethnic division. Take for example Yugoslavia. Slobodan Milosovic -- the democratically elected president -- left a legacy of more than 200,000 dead in Bosnia and ethnically cleansed more than 800,000 Albanians from their homes in Kosovo. And what if democracy were installed in Syria? It's not hard to imagine the outcome for the minority groups who for decades have enjoyed the protection of Assad's regime.

Is democracy always the best outcome? Come to Cadogan Hall on March 11 2014, hear the arguments and decide for yourself.

[doomprox]

Mr Shevchenko, I'm Singaporean and Singapore is 3rd on that world's richest state list that you have referred to. I would like to remind you that Singapore is not a pure democracy now and it was even an autocratic state in its early days. However it will not have the kind of development if it had followed western-prescribed democracy. I really believe, and agree with Mr Jacques, that every country will need to pursue whatever system that suits them and not pursue democracy just because it works for the west.

[pardeeptandon]

If Democracy is the best form of governance than why not have a democratic UN?

[jerryolak]

In todays world privately 18/11/2022, 8 years after the debate, most arguments would miserably flop, collapse & go extinct.I like the lady who pointed to the absence or lack of the most afflicted participants in this debate. Theres alot of "pretence" of democracy when they are absolute dictatorship.

[kasikwagoma]

The 2 British speakers especially rosemary Hollis's argument spoke to my African heart. I am certain many Africans will agree with her analysis
I came to the conclusion years ago when I was studying for my A levels in Zimbabwe that western democracy could not help to deliver economically for Africa. It is the reason why you see that china is making inroads into Africa because they focus on infrastructure and building economies while the west constantly harps on about democracy. Now the west is feeling threatened by China's rise in Africa. .

[ozgun]

It’s disappointing that Singapore was not talked about here.

[maxjing]

i see two realists who respect history vs two idea-worshippers who see the world as a vacuum to be filled with their ideals

[adoboy]

Universal Truth is not always measured in mass appeal. 

[jay-ripac]

2 very witty remarks from the audience: (i) we are debating on whether democracy is the best form of government, and yet the speakers had no consensus on what democracy is/should look like; (ii) the other side is arguing that democracy is always the best form of government and yet none of them represent democracy from a developing economy perspective.

[sabirabubakar]

To me democracy is known through any leadership that consistently educates its people towards knowing whats best for them. Because what good for one doesn't necessarily going to be good for the other and only its citizens should decide whats good for them. The problem comes when whether the citizen are well educated to be able to think for themselves on whats actually good for them or not. So if they're not and one among them is and has taking the role of leading and it seems to go well through uplifting them to prosperity and enlightenment i think thats good and it should be their own kind of democracy regardless there's is envy among the type A personalities which is normal.

[FOOTSHOTS]

We saw what the push of democracy done to libya.. syria.. afghanistan, iraq.. and many others
They are living hell ! But the oil is secured for the west !
Stop pushing democracy as the only method possible !It depends on your culture, religion, and interests.
And the be honest the best form of democracy is a one solid party, with freedom and debates inside the party .. and not an authoritarian

[zfs]

I'm Chinese. Let's face the fact, every man for himself and every nation is for themselves. So, why western countries want china to be democratic? They want China surpass US more quickly? They genuine wish Chinese live a better life? LOL. I'm sorry, i really don't think so. So given the fact that China and we Chinese are on our own. We will figure out our way. I, as Chinese, think CCP have done a great job so far. So, please, live and let live. Let's hope Americans back off and get busy with their own problem instead of guiding China what they should do. We are fine. Thank you...
And shall democracy will be the optimal choice of China in the future. I DONT THINK SO.

[lespaullespaul]

I think it's rather that economic growth will lead to democracy, not the other way around. Which is why democracy only dominated recently with human development.

[irwincrook]

There is no correlation between democracy and economic development in Africa

[Mzeet]

How undemocratic it must be for some countries to disrespect and infringe on the rights of other sovereign nations to decide how best to live and govern themselves.
Democracy is good. But it ought to be adapted to the local people considering their history, experiences, compositions and cultures.
That much is agreeable.

[caglaryldz]

the arguement "only 6 of top 30 rich countries don't have democracy" is meaningless. I have checked and 9 of 10 poorest countries are run with democracy. So numbers can be further analysed.

[jasminew]

The argument of the last speaker(Ukraine) is not logical. The majority of the rich country is democracy because they are already in the mature stage of capitalism with huge numbers of middle class who has the ability to supervise the power which is not the case in poor and developing country.

[Diegoscomeback]

Democracy is a road, to achieve something, not the destination.

[dawiethomas]

How ironic that they vote at the end of the debate to decide whether democracy is right or not. That is a little bit messed-up.

[sohangchopra]

Good job (very interesting arguments) by the 2 speakers who argued for the unpopular opinion - democracy is NOT always the best form of government.

[pwakaro]

I realized that we don't all know what a democracy basically is and is not. A very good point to ponder