Diplomatic & Economic #Fail
Dismissing democracy makes for good foreign policy, and a lot of bloodshed.
It is impossible to grow an economy without democracy. I’ve witness the sluggish growth of many nations wishing to embrace capitalist economies, while paralyzing their subjects with autocratic social and political systems. It doesn’t work. How can you grow an economy without pluralism and the rule of law? Former EU Commissioner Chris Patten noted that a tightly controlled and inflexible political system does not create an environment conducive to attracting investment, or stimulating innovation. Look at failing economies, and then examine their political system. Current economic turmoil, corruption, and autocracies in Ukraine, Venezuela and Syria are fuelling citizen’s desires for a democratic system of government that will provide stability so they can prosper. Thousands are dying for it.
Western and European nations have the means and experience to support transitioning democracies. Since the end of the second world war, America has intervened again and again to promote democratic processes. Over the past two decades, the US played a significant role in brining democracy to Taiwan, South Korean and the Balkans. Membership in the European Union helped consolidate democracy in Spain, Portugal and Greece as they emerged from authoritarian regimes. And it cemented the process of democracy and economic reformation in the countries of eastern and central Europe after the collapse of the Soviet empire. The EU has proved to be an agent and sustainer of regime change. That is one reason why the citizens of Ukraine have so strongly opposed their President’s dismissal of the EU membership proposal.
Demonstrators around the world are looking to Western and European democracies to offer more than financial support: they want mentorship and guidance on how to facilitate and maintain regime and economic change.
Western and European democracies engaging in trade agreements with authoritarian governments owe to their trade partner subjects the decency of offering political freedom so the subjects may become citizens and enjoy social and economic stability. When foreign policy enables bloodshed, we diminish our democratic and economic systems that allow us to thrive.
