More than just the Western way to realize democracy

Different countries have different traditions and systems, so there are different ways and means to realize democratic values. Only by increasing the representation of emerging countries and economies in global institutions can the global governance system become more fair and democratic.

These are the core messages from the Third International Forum on Democracy: The Shared Human Values that concluded in Beijing on March 20.

At the event, more than 200 guests from around the world held in-depth discussions on topics such as the “modernization of democracy and governance”, “artificial intelligence and the future of democracy”, and “democracy and global governance in a multipolar world”. Their consensus can be summarized as follows: The purpose of democracy should always be to protect and enhance the well-being of all mankind. The right of people of all countries to choose their own development paths should be respected, while raising the banner of democracy to create divisions, spread prejudice, and undermine peace must be opposed.

In the eyes of some people in the West, democracy is their “patent”, and all countries should emulate it and regard it as a model.

However, take the so-called beacon of democracy, the United States, as an example. The US has seen endless democratic chaos in recent years. Internally, the rights of ethnic minorities are suppressed, democratic elections are hijacked by capital and the selfish interests of politicians, and the Capitol Hill riots shocked the world. Externally, it uses the name of democracy to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries and provoke bloc confrontation. This kind of fake democracy and true hegemony have only brought conflicts and wars to the world, dividing it into a “civilized” club and the rest.

Democracy has never been and should not be a value unique to and defined by the West, and Western democracy cannot be exported to or imposed on other parts of the world. Electoral democracy in some Western countries has already been reduced to a game jointly played by politicians and capital.

At the forum in Beijing, many speakers expressed their recognition and appreciation for China’s people-centered wholeprocess people’s democracy, believing that this represents another democratic model, one that upholds the fundamental interests of the people and meets the people’s needs for development.

Democracy is no one’s patent; democracy should not be weaponized. Improving global governance requires the formulation of more democratic rules. These voices from the forum on democracy in Beijing demonstrate people’s real expectations of democracy.