Democracy must be embedded in the local
conditions of the society in which it is to be applied
-Amre Moussa, Egyptian Foreign Minister
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It gives me great pleasure to address this distinguished
gathering seeking to present a blend of scholarship and practical insight into the issue
of democracy. I sincerely hope that the ideas emerging from this conference will
contribute to the ongoing policy debate which aims at strengthening democracy at various
levels across the globe.
It is also gratifying for me to be discussing the issue of
democracy here in Poland, where, twenty years ago, in 1980, the world witnessed one of the
largest and most popular movements in the history of Communist Eastern Europe,
"Solidarity". The image of those workers in the streets is still vivid in our
memories when they chanted "there is no liberty without solidarity".
The subject of democracy, which is being analyzed in
the various working groups in this conference, is both complex and subtle. Although
recognized for its universal value, democracy has no agreed upon definition, except that
people should be masters of their own lives and destiny. Attempts at defining democracy
have indeed occupied intellectuals for the past two millennia, from Plato to Tocqueville.
However, democracy, for all intents and purposes, can be cloaked in its romantic ideal
which aims at a political entity where the common good is realized by means of the
population deciding issues through the elections of individuals who carry out the people's
will.
In the second half of the Twentieth century, the issue of
democracy occupied center stage in the debate about political systems and forms of
government. Events such as the end of the cold war, the fall of the Berlin wall, and the
withering away of the communist systems have all given rise to the popular perception that
democracy is the best alternative in the new world order. It definitely proved to be so.
As a global consensus over the ultimate meaning of democracy
has yet to be formed, the application of the concept should rest on three main components:
Cultural specificity, economic liberalization, and political freedom.
With a world rich in its cultural diversity, the literature
on democracy has yet to build a solid and firm consensus on a one-model-fits-all for
universal application. However, the Western model of multi-party system, elected
representatives and rule by the Majority is the most attractive one and is indeed a
candidate to win in the Marathon towards building a consensus in the new world order.
This brings me say a few words on the Islamic component of
Middle East culture. A case has often been made that Islam -- as a religion -- comes into
conflict with democracy. It is sometimes claimed that as a system of beliefs based on
sacred tenets, religion clashes with a political system whose basic tenet is what the
majority wants, and that no opinion or political view is sacred or has eternal value or
validity.
Are there grounds for the claim that democracy and Islam are
incompatible? I would beg to differ. Islam does not contradict democracy in any possible
or conceivable way. The whole concept of the Islamic, or Islamic-inspired, system of
government is based on two principles -Shura and Ijma', or consultation and consensus.
Moreover, Islam is incompatible with dictatorship or arbitrary rule by one man or any
group of men. The very essence of Islam is its negation of all racial, ethnic, hereditary
criteria of distinction among individuals in the society in terms of rights and
responsibilities. In sum, the Islamic religion contains the requisite principles, to be
highly responsive and even concomitant with the prerequisites of the concept of democracy
we are discussing today.
On the other hand, in order to flourish, democracy has to be
nurtured in an atmosphere where man is not hungry. Poverty and unemployment are serious
impediments to, even the enemies of democracy. Poverty and its accompanying frustrations
could induce people to take refuge in tribalism, fanaticism or racism. We have all
witnessed how these tendencies, when driven to extreme, become counter productive to both
democracy and development. Most third world countries, where this threat is rampant, are
seeking to alleviate their economic conditions. Processes of economic liberalization
started to be implemented gradually of course, in accordance with local conditions, so as
to buttress possible social implications and repercussions. A successful economic reform
has to be implemented in order for democracy to take roots and grow.
Like economic liberalization, democracy is a long and arduous
road. We ought to spill the seeds of liberal thinking with determination, patience, and
honesty in order to reap the fruits of a democratic culture through sustained process
rather than shock treatment.
We, in Egypt, have embarked on a process of liberalization
and democratization that parallels our highly successful economic restructuring and social
rehabilitation. These processes have not been easy and were not void of obstacles. The
middle class, which historically has been the engine of growth, needs to have its
expectations and aspirations fulfilled. While we could benefit from our history rich with
democratic traditions, we also have to deal with obstacles derived from the burdens of
past experiences, the complications and repercussions of the prolonged Middle East
conflict, even conflicts, and the present realities of globalization. We realize that the
path we have chosen is not easy and that progress will be gradual but we are committed to
realize our goal.
Furthermore, the democratic culture is based on a number of
basic tenets. Foremost among them is education, its promotion and universality. Democracy
and education mutually reinforce each other.
Another element is a responsible freedom of the press and
media. Before it materializes in institutions, democracy is foremost a way of thinking and
behaving. It rests on the spreading in the society of ideas such as tolerance, accepting
the other, civic consciousness and pluralism. The freedom of the press and media has both
a causal and effectual impact on democracy. On the one hand, it develops and exposes
issues that genuinely reflect the interests of the society, and gives the needed dues to
the centrality of public opinion. On the other hand, a democratically inclined nation will
naturally tend to freedom of speech and expression, pluralism, and tolerance.
While it is necessary to stress the pivotal role of
governments for promoting and defending democratic institutions and values, it is
important to note the important role played by non-state actors. Today, the civil society
has gained a new dimension in the context of democratization.
A few years ago, in 1997, the UNDP published
a document in which it highlighted the need for cooperation with civil society where it
mentioned that civil society is the well spring of social capital -- people working
together for common purposes within the framework that the society has established. That
is essential for good governance. They can and should advocate constructive reforms that
foster sustainable human development. Again Giovanni Agnelli in his inaugural address at
the first Euro- Mediterranean Conference in 1995 described civil society as united not
only by values and cultures, but also by the desire to act conjointly in projects of
general interest. The other important point to stress has to do with scale and timing for
helping democratic transitions. International cooperation is very much needed for the
exchange of ideas and experiences.
Cultural specificity coupled with economic
reform can be identified as the practical prerequisites for political liberalization,
hence of democracy.
A flourishing democracy is not created in
void, it is based on many premises and is conditioned by many factors, we would like to
think of as the needed infrastructure for sustained democratic institutions. Again, should
stress the fact that there is, unfortunately, no magical prescription for democracy, or
one model fits all. In order to be sustainable, democracy must be embedded in the local
conditions of the society in which it is to be applied the real policies within the
society. Each state has its wealth in its traditions, cultures, and even religions.
Democracy, however, must have
a solid base within the country itself. Its
priorities must not be dictated from without, but must be derived from within. Having said
that, I do not hesitate to state that this does not derogate from the fact that there is a
great deal of growing inter-operability and cross influence between world different
societies.
Lastly, I would like to stress that while
there is no alternative to democracy within a state, democracy among states is equally
important for the culture of peace. We are seriously opposed to the principle of use of
force in international relations. International law upheld and respected in accordance to
the regime of international law, which all nations have decided to endorse, and the
Charter of the United Nations. It is difficult to promote ideas of participation in
decision making inside a country while the same principles are ignored at the
international level. The call for the
democratization of the decision making
process in international organizations has been gaining momentum and will eventually have
to be addressed.
Finally, the ideals of democracy is one to
which we all aspire to reach. However, it should be open to different legitimate
interpretations deriving from various historical, cultural and social experiences and
conditions. Its essential meaning though is well understood. Democracy in a few words
means: maximum citizen participation in public affairs coupled with maximum accountability
and legitimacy of all including the rulers. To understand the practical effect of what is
often called the failure to provide a realistic conception of liberal democracy is that
the political systems are being compared with an ideal which does not exist in reality.
Speech by H.E. Mr. Amre Moussa, Minister
of Foreign Affairs of Egypt: Conference " Towards a Community of Democracies ",
Panel III " Responding to the Threats to Democracy " Warsaw: June 26th, 2000 |
