The sad fact- hard to swallow and difficult to deny- is that nearly forty percent of UN member nations are now categorized not merely as failed states- but as “failed democracies.” Living in a so called “successful democracy,” why does that statement concern me? Countries, over the past decades, have come into increasing contact with one another for various purposes. Our global village no longer comprises regions that bind a certain culture to its soil. In that light, it is crucial to view our neighbors as a source of enrichment- whether the neighbor lives across the street or across the seas. Preparing for a future in such a village not only necessitates concerns for our fellow neighbors, the “failed democracies,” but also requires collective effort in finding better ways to make democracy work.
Inevitable to all nations, diversity of culture is increasingly shaping not only the nation’s population, but also the population’s opinions. According to Samuel P. Huntington, the mingling of distinct cultures serves as a primary source of conflict. However it is not this “Clash of Civilizations,” but the “Clash of Ignorance” which is the true problem. Tolerance is exclusively absent. Various ethnic and religious groups simply are not educated to bridge their differences and underscore their similarities. Such not only results in unnecessary conflict and bloodshed, as evident between Shias and Sunnis in Iran and Iraq, but also undermines the scope of democracy. Simply education can overcome that ignorance.
The Essay on Why Democracy Fail in Pakistan
Executive Summary – Pakistan has been in quest for stable democratic system from its very inception. The process of its democratization has been slow and passive. Its nature has remained fragile. It has been showing high vulnerability towards non democratic interventions. Besides, it has been easily falling prey to non civilian forces. As a result, Pakistan has been continuously failing to offer ...
Back in the Age of Colonialism education was limited to three R’s: Reading, ‘Riting, and ‘Rithmatic; however, now in the Age of Democracy, education ought to be classified by the three R’s: rigorous, relevant, and responsible. To meet higher standards of excellence, individuals need to be trained more competently and outstandingly. Better education does not merely mean wider access to learning. Our concern for quantity should be supplemented by an intensive concern for quality. A twentieth century education must not be provided for twenty-first century persons. Furthermore, the by-product of that education should not be arrogance, but rather humility.
In sum, democracies will burgeon when the global villagers will learn to differentiate between liberty and license. Freedom of expression is an incomplete value unless it is used honorably and as a responsible expression. As a global citizen, such failures of democracies exceedingly impact all facets of my life- social, economical, and physical- and in the decades ahead may cause the masses to loose faith in democracy, hence ushering us in an era of tension.
http://bealonghorn.utexas.edu/docs/ut.transfer.checklist.pdf
