The dilemma of democracy in developing countries

Democracy is a fundamental human right worldwide. It is a notion and practice provided to peoples to express their opinions, tendencies, values, and beliefs without the fear of being punished in return. It is an integral part of everyone’s freedom. 

Democracy is a core principle of the United Nations. By advancing human rights, development, and peace and security, the UN supports democracy. The UN has contributed to advancing democracy around the world in the 75 years since the UN Charter was ratified. The UN helps civil society in strengthening democratic institutions and accountability, encourages good governance, supervises elections, ensures self-determination in former colonies, and aids in the development of new constitutions in post-conflict countries.

Democracy in developing countries in particular has been a matter of question and research. 

Democracy in Latin America 

The European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) reported that since the middle of the 1980s, Latin America has experienced a lengthy and widespread extension of democracy and made significant strides in the areas of free and fair elections and respect for human rights. Over 80% of people in Latin America are living democratically. While Costa Rica, Uruguay, and Chile stand out as the most free and democratic nations in all classifications, standards differ greatly. Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Cuba continue to be near the bottom of the list.

However, the tide for this prosperous “third democratic wave” in Latin America may be degrading, as many nations see democracy backsliding. The Covid-19 pandemic, which has justified the implementation of freedom-restricting measures and facilitated human rights abuses, may have sped up the regional decline in democratic indicators. Other contributing factors include the self-interest of the ruling elites and widespread corruption in some countries. With a rise in violence, inequality, poverty, and migration from the worst-affected nations, the human rights situation throughout Latin America and the Caribbean has worsened more broadly.

Democracy in the Middle East and Africa

The Arab world was shaken by cries for change from the populations of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, and Syria beginning in late 2010 and extending into 2011. For the first time, the Arab Spring inspired hope that the Middle East may witness a glimmer of more democratic governments. Popular movements calling for an end to corruption, strict rule, and increased economic opportunity caused authoritarian leaders like Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in Tunisia, Muammar Qaddafi in Libya, and Hosni Mubarak in Egypt to lose their positions of authority, according to the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

The situation seemed hopeless nearly a dozen years later, with authoritarianism prevailing in the region. Even Tunisia, the lone success story of the Arab Spring, has experienced a significant political setback, making democracy in the Middle East seem unattainable.

In Africa, democracy is in trouble. Niger witnessed the most recent military takeover, stretching the continent's belt of military dictatorships. Additionally, there is a general feeling of unhappiness and disappointment, as well as a serious issue with the effectiveness of governance. Only 38% of respondents, according to the most recent Afrobarometer data from the entire region, are satisfied with the way democracy functions in their nations. According to Freedom House's most recent research, half of Africans reside in nations that are categorized as “not free” and another 43% reside in nations that are only “partly free.”

Numerous African activists sacrificed decades ago to call for the opening of their political systems and the implementation of multiparty democracy. They fought for political independence and for leaders who would heed the needs of the people, according to the Council on Foreign Affairs (CRF).