Do you remember the Prague spring when a hopeful beam of enlightenment shone briefly from the shadows of Soviet occupation, illuminating the true nature of communist imperialism?
History is on the move again, this time in the Middle East, in the streets of Lebanon, an open Egyptian presidential election, and municipal elections in Saudi Arabia. Afghanistan and Iraq have had elections where the voter turnout puts many western democracies to shame.
I recently discussed these issues at a conference on democracy and free trade in plucky, lucky Qatar. The issues and arguments were startling in their openness. Democracy is more than having a vote where the biggest tribe may win. Voting is a necessary, irreplaceable part of democracy. Voting decides who is in government; constitutions determine how governments function. Before full democracy in the west was achieved, institutions were built. Independent courts, a professional civil service, property rights, a free media, an active civil society - all these things make up a democracy.
There are many types of democracies, but all have in common the peaceful transfer of power through the will of the people. The best have installed the concept of a loyal opposition: that is, those who lose and those who seek power are loyal to their country - their opposition to the government is not an act of treachery. This is hard to explain in some places.
How to handle minorities is a difficult path to navigate in many societies which have deep differences in religion, race, language and customs. Some seek solutions to ensure that a majority does not overwhelm minorities by embracing federal systems. Others seek proportional representation to ensure that all opinions are allowed in parliament, and no one party can easily have a majority.
Political democracy demands institutions; impartial bureaucracies that give fair and fearless advice, and then implement the will of the people through their elected leaders. Meanwhile, economic democracy demands property rights, transparency and competition.
