Although more people will vote this year than ever before in history, and although democracies are growing while dictatorships are decreasing, there are approximately 50 failed nation-states. Democracy is a mental attitude and a habit of behavior as well as responsible governance that protects group and individual rights and assures opportunity for meaningful participation in the political process. By conventional definitions, most people continue to live in democracies or partly free conditions rather than in dictatorships.

Although Freedom House says that "freedom and democracy continued to make overall progress worldwide in 2003 (25 countries demonstrated forward progress in freedom, while 13 registered setbacks)," the organization also found that press freedoms decreased last year (73 were rated free, 49 partly free, and 71 not free compared with 78, 47, and 68 respectively the previous year) and that the number of electoral democracies declined from 121 to 117. Nevertheless, democratization is a global long-term trend. Since democracies tend not to fight each other, and since humanitarian crises are far more likely to occur within authoritarian regimes, the trend toward democracy should lead to a more peaceful future.

Unfortunately, people can lose their incomes and social status during transitions to democracy. New democracies must address previous abuses of power to earn citizen loyalty, yet the pursuit of this justice can increase social discord and slow the process of reconciliation and democratic transition. Some recent democracies have not consolidated their democratic institutions and cultural changes; hence care has to be taken to prevent elected democracies from becoming tyrannies. To become genuine, young democracies emerging from authoritarian regimes need long-term economic stability, some experience with pluralism, and a majority of pro-democratic actors. Dramatic changes like multiparty elections, a free press, written constitutions, legal reforms, and an independent judiciary do not automatically create a culture of democracy with citizen responsibilities.

The Internet has increased the opportunity for citizen feedback on public issues through e-government and other electronic means. As a result, governments are expected to become more accountable, transparent, and responsive to their citizens. Yet increasing sophistication and interaction among information technology, marketing, competitive intelligence, organized crime, and the potentials of information warfare raise the potential for the manipulation of information. Freedom of choice-inherent to democracy-implies judgment based on reliable information. Hence the development of methods to counter information manipulation will be important for continued democratization in the future. Democracy also needs strong rules against corruption and a smaller gap between rich and poor. Submission by the most powerful democracies to international law and transnational bodies is essential if democracy is to retain credibility in the eyes of people who have no direct experience with it.  

 

Music, TV, movies, and education can nurture democratic cultures, as can policies for open communications, financial stability (reasonable credit access, stable currencies and exchange systems, security of assets, property ownership), and equitable judicial systems. Although making development assistance dependent on progress toward democracy has helped in some countries, a genuine democracy is achieved when the people-not an external organization-get the government to be accountable to them. Different areas may require different political systems at different times. However, all will be improved by increasing education, transparency, accountability, media access, initiatives that focus on corruption, and participation rather than waiting for others to solve problems. In addition, maintenance of "safety nets" and discussions among international political peers about successful transition strategies in the areas of the rule of law, respect for human rights, free media, tolerance of political opposition, free elections (visible UN Electoral Units where necessary), and an independent civil society all help develop the culture of democracy.

 

Africa: Freedom House rated 11 countries in sub-Saharan Africa as free, 20 partly free, and 24 not free. Authoritarian regimes thrive on ethnicity and religious fundamentalism. Dictators in Africa will not yield their power until they have secure retirement situations. A proposed "African Council of Elders" could help if composed of former heads of state and initiated by someone like Nelson Mandela in association with the African Union to advise Africa, just like a village "council of elders." The Council could offer African leaders an attractive promotion and retirement from their governments. South Africa and Nigeria are the "linchpins" for Africa's political and economic progress.

 

Asia and Oceania: India is the world's largest democracy, with 600 million registered voters, and its 2004 national election is using electronic ballot machines. Asia is characterized by strong autocratic governments, which are only nominally democratic. With 1.3 billion people, China has a responsibility to provide stability during its political evolution. There is a growing gap between the information technology class and the illiterate. According to a recent Pew poll, 65% of Indonesians favor a democratic government compared with 32% who favor a strong leader. The Arab League approved the "Greater Middle East Initiative," which stresses democratic reforms.

 

Europe: With the addition of 10 countries to the EU, the revival of authoritarian regimes in Eastern and Central Europe is less likely, yet others argue it is a mistake to be dependent on the EU for democratization. As people understand their potential, they will understand the importance of free decisions. There is a tension between Brussels bureaucracy and national democracy, and the intellectual tension between socialism and capitalism continues. Immigration-induced conflicts and policies may hinder democratization. Some see media restrictions in Russia and Kyrgyzstan as a sign that democracy may be receding.

 

Latin America: A UNDP poll showed that a surprising number of Latin Americans were not sure that democracies give the best prospects for economic growth and security. Chile was a political dictatorship with economic freedom that made economic prosperity. Fewer than 50% of the citizens of this region vote. Now the challenge is for free-market democracies to include social justice, equity, and progress toward prosperity. If this is not achieved, then autocratic or totalitarian leaders will return with popular support. Cuba prohibits the use of the Internet in most homes.

 

North America: Although the United States serves as a model to many, it is now corrupted by money, special interest lobbying, advertising, campaign contributions, and a "go-it-alone" foreign policy. Centralization of media and the Patriot Act have raised concerns about the future health of democracy in the United States. Democratic societies must continuously remember that democracy can be lost.