Democratic backsliding?
Published Feb 11, 2023 12:02 am
PAGBABAGO
Dr. Florangel Rosario-Braid
This is not merely a question. For the past six years, studies had shown that this phenomenon had been gradually increasing since it became evident. The indicators?
According to a working paper, “Problematizing the strengthening of Philippine democratic institutions” by authors Czarina Medina-Guce and Ana Martha Galindo of the Institute for Leadership, Empowerment and Democracy, the indicators are: “A breakdown in structures of freedom of assembly, organization, and speech, or shrinking civic spaces. Efforts to strengthen the executive branch comes at the expense of the judiciary and the legislature.”
But this is not just happening here but all over the world.
The authors state that in our case, this is due to the “over-assertiveness of the executive, populist politics, impunity, and a lack of checks and balances.” The elites have captured our structures and we lack incentives that would motivate our institutions to strengthen our democratic processes. The authors further note that even though we have established democratic institutions, we continue to adhere to authoritarianism as we have allowed continuing marginalization of the weak and powerless.
From a full democracy over a decade ago, we have become a “flawed” democracy with today’s ranking of 52nd out of 167 countries in the global democracy index report by the London-based think tank, The Economist Intelligence Unit. Actually, this is an improvement from 54th in 2021 and 55th in 2020. But we ranked 51st in 2017.
AIU’s Democracy Index measures the state of global democracy based on four categories: electoral processes and pluralism, functioning of government, political participation, political culture, and civil liberties.
Let’s examine the above closely to find out how we can reverse this backsliding within the country. If democracy is characterized by vibrant dialogue and discussion, we can work on this premise, since most Filipino people are by nature sociable and like to interact or come together. Note the number of chat groups, coffee and other social clubs. But it is the kind of interaction that can be described as quality dialogue, the kind that enables citizens to make informed decisions. Dialogue that helps citizens and government discover solutions to national and local problems. We need to strengthen our political parties so that their platforms become ideology rather than personality-oriented. We must create alternative sources of reliable information. We must prepare our government leaders to learn how to engage its citizenry, to participate in decision-making. We must continue to decentralize government structures and enable governments to share power with non-government agencies.
We must veer away from the current global trends where democratic institutions are in a stagnant state and not creating innovative structures. It is quite alarming to note that the number moving towards authoritarianism is more than double the number moving towards democracy. As of end of 2021, nearly one-half of the 173 countries assessed by International IDEA (International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance), are experiencing decline in at least one attribute of democracy.
The world lost two democracies in 2021 – Myanmar and Tunisia. Brazil, El Salvador, Hungary and Poland are severely backsliding. India, Mauritius, and even the United States are moderately backsliding.
The EIU Democracy Index reflects continuing negative effect of Covid-19 on democracy and freedom.
In summary, the future of democracy is in peril. But if we put together lessons we have learned in various cultural settings, we may discover solutions that may help us in this task of renewal.
Dr. Florangel Rosario-Braid
This is not merely a question. For the past six years, studies had shown that this phenomenon had been gradually increasing since it became evident. The indicators?
According to a working paper, “Problematizing the strengthening of Philippine democratic institutions” by authors Czarina Medina-Guce and Ana Martha Galindo of the Institute for Leadership, Empowerment and Democracy, the indicators are: “A breakdown in structures of freedom of assembly, organization, and speech, or shrinking civic spaces. Efforts to strengthen the executive branch comes at the expense of the judiciary and the legislature.”
But this is not just happening here but all over the world.
The authors state that in our case, this is due to the “over-assertiveness of the executive, populist politics, impunity, and a lack of checks and balances.” The elites have captured our structures and we lack incentives that would motivate our institutions to strengthen our democratic processes. The authors further note that even though we have established democratic institutions, we continue to adhere to authoritarianism as we have allowed continuing marginalization of the weak and powerless.
From a full democracy over a decade ago, we have become a “flawed” democracy with today’s ranking of 52nd out of 167 countries in the global democracy index report by the London-based think tank, The Economist Intelligence Unit. Actually, this is an improvement from 54th in 2021 and 55th in 2020. But we ranked 51st in 2017.
AIU’s Democracy Index measures the state of global democracy based on four categories: electoral processes and pluralism, functioning of government, political participation, political culture, and civil liberties.
Let’s examine the above closely to find out how we can reverse this backsliding within the country. If democracy is characterized by vibrant dialogue and discussion, we can work on this premise, since most Filipino people are by nature sociable and like to interact or come together. Note the number of chat groups, coffee and other social clubs. But it is the kind of interaction that can be described as quality dialogue, the kind that enables citizens to make informed decisions. Dialogue that helps citizens and government discover solutions to national and local problems. We need to strengthen our political parties so that their platforms become ideology rather than personality-oriented. We must create alternative sources of reliable information. We must prepare our government leaders to learn how to engage its citizenry, to participate in decision-making. We must continue to decentralize government structures and enable governments to share power with non-government agencies.
We must veer away from the current global trends where democratic institutions are in a stagnant state and not creating innovative structures. It is quite alarming to note that the number moving towards authoritarianism is more than double the number moving towards democracy. As of end of 2021, nearly one-half of the 173 countries assessed by International IDEA (International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance), are experiencing decline in at least one attribute of democracy.
The world lost two democracies in 2021 – Myanmar and Tunisia. Brazil, El Salvador, Hungary and Poland are severely backsliding. India, Mauritius, and even the United States are moderately backsliding.
The EIU Democracy Index reflects continuing negative effect of Covid-19 on democracy and freedom.
In summary, the future of democracy is in peril. But if we put together lessons we have learned in various cultural settings, we may discover solutions that may help us in this task of renewal.
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Prayers and condolence to the family of Dr. Ptr. Naomi Fontanilla Damian, thoughtful friend and counselor who has touched many by her wisdom and loving care. Farewell my friend, till we meet again. My email, [email protected]