Democracy, Globalization and Human Rights: Emerging Realities, Prospects and Challenges

Abstract

Abstract Democracy is not only a term defining a political system but also a political principle governing the course of the rule of law, delivery of goods, constitutionalism and relations with other countries. Democracy describes itself differently depending upon the nature and historical experiences of society. It may take the form of a Nation-State on the one hand and of a Federation on the other. More than its form is its essence and organic aspect which is important for making the life of human beings meaningful, secured, peaceful and prosperous. Similarly it also recommends different course of action for common citizenship and rights for minorities. In general, democracy is also instrumental in protecting democratic values which include social harmonization, peaceful co-existence, human rights and pursuing independent economic policy. Political developments after the establishment of the United Nations and the de-colonisation process are characterized with the endorsement of democratic system in several parts of the world. Another phase of democratic upsurge started with the collapse of the communist system in Eastern Europe in late 1980s. This resulted in the rise of the number of democracies in an undivided Europe along with the enlargement of the European Union. It is also important to point out that with the beginning of the deterioration of relations in late 1970s between the US and the erstwhile Soviet Union, Jimmy Carter raised the issue of democratic freedom and human rights against the latter. This was continued by Ronald Reagan who had pushed all American might against the Soviet Union on the pretext of democracy and human rights. With the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the US raised the issue of human rights, globalization and democracy. This project was first taken up in Europe, Central Asia and the Baltic countries. These three principles governing political relations and public policies remained the slogan at the international level to change the status-quo at many places. In this context, one can also evaluate developments in North Africa and Middle East where the process of democracy and globalization has brought about a major shift in the nature of the role of the State within its boundaries and the outside. Such changes have enlarged the democratic grouping where periodic elections have expanded civil and political rights. Similarly, the endorsement for globalization has expanded the market for diverse economic activities. On the other hand, such changes have also resulted in violence, terrorism, insecurity, inflation, unemployment and environmental pollution. They have certainly created opportunities which are not free from challenges whose result is yet to be seen.