We cannot pretend that democracy is perfect, but it is recognized as the best political system that humanity has tried and, there is no doubt about it, when it works correctly, its results are beneficial for society. In the 21st century we see, however, that there are setbacks more than advances…
After the revolutions in France and the United States –18th century–, it can be said that the foundations for the duty of modern democracy began to be laid, which is none other than promoting the dignity and rights of people, generating social peace and maintaining balance between the powers of the State, all with the aim that the citizen can live in an environment of justice, equality and development.
Looking for phrases that truly identify the spirit of democracy, I found one that was quite trite, but very accurate and profound. Abraham Lincoln said back in 1863, the following: …and may the government of the people, by the people and for the people, not perish from the Earth.” The then president of the United States spoke of the system created in his country to seek a governance that always had the people as a lighthouse for its actions.
Today, it seems that the main focus of democracy is on satisfying the desires of the powerful and that the image that Lincoln had of the function of governments has remained only a utopia or cloud of dream formed around democracy.
But not all democracies are dysfunctional, mediocre or bad. In Europe, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Switzerland stand out with very high ratings, while in America we have Uruguay, countries that are an example of the good functioning of this political system. In all of these cases mentioned, surveys show that the people, which is the great factor in democracy, are satisfied with the functioning of their institutions.
Until recently, the United States was another example of the good functioning of democracy that, without being perfect, allows the development of societies in an environment of freedom and respect, in which there should be no abuse of any of the powers of the State over citizens, individually and collectively. That has been lost today in the most powerful country in the world. Making America great again became a cocktail containing many anti-democratic ingredients. There may be growth – which is not seen until today – but what is certain is that it is not of the people, by the people and for the people.
The problem is that modern democracy, the one we live in, faces a series of enemies that do not allow us to be optimistic about the future. We must not forget that any democracy that does not bring benefits to the population ends up being unnecessary for the ordinary citizen, the people for whom Lincoln cared so much.
The list of those enemies is long: excessive corruption; demagogue politicians; political parties without democratic essence; authoritarianism; extreme multipartyism –Guatemala and Peru are examples in the region–; or, more recently, plutocracy, which allows economic elites or mafias – such as drug trafficking – to have control of governments.
Politicians have taken it upon themselves to create a false image of democracy. They present periodic elections to us as the way to find solutions to problems. The only thing that is certain is that it is at the polls, when done with freedom and transparency, that the rulers or political group can be changed. Recent history shows us that we end up simply voting for the least bad.
It is a pathetic mirage: we go to the polls on time, but at the end of the day we see that yes, the faces change… but power, corruption and inefficiency persist with the new ruler and his work team.
The erosion of democracy is evident. According to the latest data I remember from Latinobarómetro, support for democracy has fallen to only 52% and globally, 69% are dissatisfied with the results of the political system. These figures may vary from study to study, but in all of them it is observed that the disenchantment is very great.
It is evident that changes must be promoted to combat these enemies of democracy. Almost all countries operate with electoral laws that were made after military regimes, so any progress seemed enough. The demands are higher now and more is expected from politicians and parties.
Drug trafficking and big capital now play cards in different ways. So the financing of electoral campaigns must be made transparent, because that is where corruption and the bias of many governments begins to grow.
Finally, there is a huge problem that now arises around almost any human activity: misinformation – increased with the arrival of AI. This evil also affects electoral campaigns and affects democracy. There are many enemies and, worst of all, there are no actions against any of them… what awaits us then?
(The Enfoque column is also published in Prensa Gráfica, El Salvador; El Heraldo, Honduras; Listín Diario, Dominican Republic; La República, Perú and La Tribuna, Paraguay).
