In a vibrant display of international unity, the third International Forum on Democracy: The Shared Human Values commenced in Beijing on Wednesday. Over 200 esteemed scholars and senior officials from around the globe gathered to celebrate democracy as a universal value and explore its various manifestations in today’s complex world.
The forum emphasized that democracy does not adhere to a one-size-fits-all model. Instead, it thrives through diverse approaches tailored to different cultural and societal contexts. Speakers highlighted the importance of respecting these varied democratic practices to foster effective global governance.
Embracing Diverse Democratic Models
Keynote speaker Ong Tee Keat, former deputy speaker of the Lower House of the Malaysian parliament, lauded the Chinese mainland’s whole-process people's democracy. He praised its integration of law-based elections, consultations, decision-making, and oversight, emphasizing the connection between fulfilling people's aspirations and achieving social development.
Wang Shaoguang, professor emeritus at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, underscored the principle of \"from the masses and to the masses,\" highlighting China’s people-centered governance philosophy. Stephen Perry, chairman of the 48 Group Club, echoed these sentiments, stating, \"China is on its way to a good form of democracy. It hears its people, and it tends to do what its people want.\"
Critiquing the One-Size-Fits-All Approach
Several speakers cautioned against imposing a singular democratic model on diverse nations. Former Italian Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema pointed out that Western democracy, born out of the struggle against fascism and Nazism, cannot be universally applied. He referenced the challenges faced in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Middle East as evidence of the pitfalls of exporting a specific democratic framework.
D'Alema also highlighted concerns raised by Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz about the erosion of democratic principles in the West, where economic influence increasingly distorts political representation.
Ong Tee Keat criticized the prevailing electoral democracy model, arguing that it does not serve as a universal benchmark for democratic governance.
Supporting this view, an online poll by China Global Television Network (CGTN) revealed that 84.3 percent of respondents believe that democracy manifests differently across cultures and that no single model holds superiority.
Advocating for a Multipolar World
The forum also addressed shortcomings in current global governance structures, advocating for a multipolar world. Former Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva emphasized the need to reform international organizations to better represent emerging economies and influential nations.
D'Alema echoed the call for a multipolar reality, rejecting both bipolarity and unipolarity in favor of collaborative global governance.
As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the discussions at the International Forum on Democracy highlight the importance of embracing diverse democratic practices and fostering a balanced global governance system that reflects the multifaceted nature of today’s societies.
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Democracy hailed as a shared value for humanity at international forum
cgtn.com
