Intelligence Squared Debate: Is Democracy Always the Best Form of Government?

Welcome and Introduction

Moderator: McGowan introduces the topic and significance of democracy.
Topics Covered: Differences in democratic practice globally (e.g., North Korea, Crimea, India, China).
Motion: Democracy is not always the best form of government.
Panelists:
- For Motion: Martin Jakes (Author) & Rosemarie Hollis (Professor).
- Against Motion: Ian Bremmer (Political Scientist) & Andrey Shevchenko (Ukrainian MP).

Not suggesting UK/Western countries abandon democracy.
Against the idea that democracy is a universal solution.
Case Examples: Russia, Iraq, Egypt, China
- Russia reasserted traditional values, resulting in authoritarianism.
- Iraq: Invasion didn't lead to functional democracy.
- Egypt: Military power reasserted after Arab Spring.
- China: Major economic growth under an authoritarian regime rather than western-style democracy.
Democracy must evolve according to a country’s history, culture, and circumstances.
Developed countries achieved growth before democratizing.

Rich Western democracies attribute wealth to hard work, liberal capitalism, and democracy.
Factors Influencing Democracy’s Success:
- Minority rights: Questions protection under majority rule.
- Relative strength and economic leverage over international bodies.
- Influence of multinationals and financial institutions on small countries, reducing effective autonomy.
Western democracy cannot be universally exported.

Power and modernization responsibility lies with present government, regardless of historical differences.
Comparisons: Russia, Egypt, Arab monarchies alongside issues in U.S. democracy.
Democracy promotes accountability and is inherently connected to human rights and societal prosperity.
China’s Case: Given growth, future sustainability requires democratic evolution.

Shared symbol of struggle for democracy in Ukraine (construction helmet from protests).
Moral Choice: Democracy equals freedom, responsibility, and self-construction of future.
Statistical Correlations: Richest and high human development countries often democracies.
- Life expectancy, education, income linked with democratic governance.
- Democracies tend to be more equitable in wealth distribution.
Urges consideration of global democratic struggles in voting on the motion.

Definition of Democracy: Emphasis on holding leaders accountable and inclusive representation.
Importance of Effective Governance over Labels: Functional democracies like Canada, Scandinavia, Australia seen as better-run states.
Chinese Satisfaction: High levels of public satisfaction with government performance.
Economic Growth vs. Resilience: Debate over focusing solely on growth vs. sustainable development and stability.
Practical Efficacy: Discussions on whether smaller and developing nations truly benefit from Western democratic models.

Importance of cultural context in democracy's applicability.
Non-democratic countries achieving significant growth and public satisfaction.
Moral and practical arguments for democracy heavily debated.
Potential futures for democracy in countries transitioning from authoritarianism.
Points from Ukrainian context emphasizing value and struggle for democratic governance.

Initial Opinions: 44% undecided, 38% for the motion, 18% against.
Final Vote: 39% for the motion, 58% against, demonstrating a significant swing towards the view that democracy is usually the best form of government.
Highlighted Impact: Audience swayed significantly towards the notion that democracy is generally beneficial despite initial doubts.

Democracy's universal applicability remains contentious.
Examples show varied success and public opinions on democratic vs. authoritarian governance.
Debate emphasizes need for tailored approaches to governance respecting cultural and historical contexts.