DEEPENING DEMOCRACY IN A FRAGMENTED DEEPENING DEMOCRACY IN A FRAGMENTED WORLDWORLD

Tanni MukhopadhyayTanni MukhopadhyayPolicy Specialist, Human Development Report Office, UNDP NYPolicy Specialist, Human Development Report Office, UNDP NY

Imperatives for the theme Further the work of HDR 2000 on Human Rights; Further the work of HDR 2000 on Human Rights;

linking the rights framework to obligations and linking the rights framework to obligations and accountability. accountability.

To contribute to the To contribute to the debates on governancedebates on governance which which have been dominated by 2 overriding concerns have been dominated by 2 overriding concerns a) making markets work better - hence emphasis a) making markets work better - hence emphasis

primarily on transparency, corruption, rule of law, etc primarily on transparency, corruption, rule of law, etc b) undue emphasis merely on particular kinds of b) undue emphasis merely on particular kinds of

electoral arrangements and regime structures.electoral arrangements and regime structures.

Human Development

Entails expanding capabilities to enlarge the Entails expanding capabilities to enlarge the choices people have in their liveschoices people have in their lives To enjoy a decent standard of livingTo enjoy a decent standard of living To be able to survive and enjoy good healthTo be able to survive and enjoy good health To be knowledgeable, educated and free to To be knowledgeable, educated and free to

express oneselfexpress oneself To enjoy political freedoms and to be able to To enjoy political freedoms and to be able to

participate in community lifeparticipate in community life

Human Development understood as Human Development understood as capabilities highlight the importance ofcapabilities highlight the importance of Freedom from wantFreedom from want Freedom from fearFreedom from fear Freedom of expressionFreedom of expression Freedom of associationFreedom of association

Democracy and Growth: evidence to dateDemocracy and Growth: evidence to date

Democracy is no obstacle to growthDemocracy is no obstacle to growth Low growth is no obstacle to democracyLow growth is no obstacle to democracy

Athenian model : participatory democracy Athenian model : participatory democracy

Vs Vs

Republican Rome model: representative Republican Rome model: representative democracydemocracy

Democracy DeficitsThe challenges of establishing, The challenges of establishing,

consolidating and deepening consolidating and deepening democracy confront all democracy confront all countriescountries

Democratic institutions and practice are Democratic institutions and practice are characterised by:characterised by:

Accountability of the powerful to those whose Accountability of the powerful to those whose lives are affected by their decisionslives are affected by their decisions

Enhanced participation by members of societyEnhanced participation by members of society Free and fair contestation over political powerFree and fair contestation over political power

  

The democracy a nation chooses to develop The democracy a nation chooses to develop depends on its history and circumstances – depends on its history and circumstances –

countries will necessarily be ‘differently countries will necessarily be ‘differently democratic’democratic’

The Quality of Democracy in a Country

can be judged by assessing how can be judged by assessing how accountable, participatory and fair the accountable, participatory and fair the institutions and politics are in that societyinstitutions and politics are in that society

Democratic institutions adhere to certain principlesDemocratic institutions adhere to certain principles Separation of powerSeparation of power Checks and balancesChecks and balances Independence of judiciaryIndependence of judiciary Independent oversight bodies (electoral Independent oversight bodies (electoral

commission, HRC, Ombudspersons and so on)commission, HRC, Ombudspersons and so on) Civilian control over the police and the militaryCivilian control over the police and the military

Democratic practice and politics have to do Democratic practice and politics have to do with the public domain where there iswith the public domain where there is Independent Media (both from state and Independent Media (both from state and

corporate control)corporate control) Diverse, varied and plural civil society (but Diverse, varied and plural civil society (but

is not fragmented)is not fragmented) Political parties that are internally Political parties that are internally

democratic and rule abidingdemocratic and rule abiding

The perception of injustice in the global arena is The perception of injustice in the global arena is often the source for growing anger and often the source for growing anger and

seething discontent between nations and seething discontent between nations and peoplepeople

Millennium Development Goals – a compact Millennium Development Goals – a compact between nationsbetween nations

From your experience in your CO share in From your experience in your CO share in a brief presentation of about 5 minutes:a brief presentation of about 5 minutes:

Make an assessment on the quality of democracy in Make an assessment on the quality of democracy in your country of assignment your country of assignment

or or on inclusive global governance on inclusive global governance

referring to the 3 principles of assessment of democracy.referring to the 3 principles of assessment of democracy.

Highlight the challenges faced in your Highlight the challenges faced in your program area in terms of democratic program area in terms of democratic governance.governance.

What recommendations would you like to What recommendations would you like to make to ensure a comprehensive intervention. make to ensure a comprehensive intervention.