Perspectives of Democracy and the Rule of Law in the 21st Century

Adam Michnik called attention to the issue of Sovereign Democracy, in which “an individual is considered the property of the president of the country,” as we see in many Central and Eastern European countries. In order to prevent this, Rule of Law must be established, and Mr. Michnik defines this as a threefold concept including a government not trying to politicize the state administration, democratic media, and free and depoliticized expression of religion.

John Agyekum Koufor discussed the universal yearning for democracy and human rights, which he has experienced in Africa as well as through recent events in the Arab States. “We must be ready to speak out for democracy and human rights where they are denied and find the courage to drive through international reforms” in order to enable the realization of this desire. “We will not see sustained economic growth without the rule of law,” as undemocratic regimes are superficially stable.

Michael Žantovský referred to Fukuyama's “End of History” paradigm and how even Fukuyama has recently recognized sources of political decay, such as various rent-seeking groups that subvert the healthy development of democracy. He adumbrated the lines of defense against this “cancer that destroys the democratic tissue” - transparency, accountability and active citizenry.

Marites Vitung spoke of three challenges to creating a democratic political system, which she has experienced in her country and abroad. These are: One: Inequity, in which vested interests are allowed to dictate the political process; Two:  A culture of impunity, where judicial institutions are weak and corrupt officials are not punished; and three: Weak institutions, leading to patronage and the seizure of power by personalities rather than policies.

Vartan Gregorian spoke of the misrepresentation of the various concepts, such as J. J. Rousseau’s concept of the Social Contract misrepresented by the Nazis and the Communists, and various constitutions such as the Soviet constitution, and how these language manipulations made the emergence of many cruel regimes possible. Lastly, Mr. Gregorian spoke of how there seems to be two “sets” of facts pertaining to things like climate change: the scientific and the anti-scientific, the latter making any discussion impossible.