Emergence of democratic states

Emergence of Democratic States

Background Information

• The democratic movement started in the mid-nineteenth century in Europe and gradually embraced most parts of the world.
• The term ‘democracy’ refers to a system of government where the supreme power rests in the people and is exercised by them directly or indirectly through their elected representatives.
• This democratic movement was a result of liberal ideologies, industrialisation, and nationalisation in many parts of the world.

Revolution of 1848

• The revolution of 1848, also known as the ‘Spring of Nations’, was a series of political upheavals that took place in Europe in 1848.
• These revolutions were driven by widespread discontent with political leadership, demands for more political participation, and the demands of the working classes.
• The impacts of these revolutions varied across different regions. However, they mainly accelerated the establishment of constitutional and democratic governments in Europe.

Democratic Progress in Late-19th and Early-20th Centuries

• The late 19th and early 20th centuries marked significant progress in democracy, with considerable accomplishments such as the universal suffrage movements where the right to vote was extended to all adults, irrespective of property or income.
• This also led to the advent of new democratic practices such as political parties, public meetings, and the press playing a tangible role in shaping public opinion and government policies.
• Simultaneously, many colonial nations started their struggles for independence, which led to the establishment of many new democracies in the mid-20th century.

Post World War II Era

• After World War II, democracy became the dominant form of government with the birth of many democracies amidst decolonisation.
• The Cold War period further deepened the divide between the democratic western countries and the communist countries led by the Soviet Union.
• The late 20th century saw the fall of most authoritarian regimes, marking a triumph for democracy.

Democratic Challenges

• Despite these improvements, democracy faced and is still facing multiple challenges such as ensuring equal participation, overcoming special interest groups, reducing corruption, and ensuring the true representation of the people.
• The tension between democratic values and other societal values including cultural tradition, economic growth, and national security often presents challenges to democratic governance.

Major Democratic Milestones

• The Civil Rights Movement in the United States, which pushed for equal rights for all races and ethnicities, marked a significant advance in democracy.
• The end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 led to the rise of democracy in many previously communist countries.
• The 24th Amendment, passed in the United States in 1964, prohibited any polling tax in elections for federal officials, marking an important milestone in the expansion of voter rights.