‘Democracy’ rhetoric of US, allies rings false

Photo taken on Oct 28, 2021 shows the White House in Washington, DC, the United States. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Western democracy was introduced as a solution to the sufferings of the masses. Ideological work highlighted respect for human rights, equality, social justice and sustainable development. It was pitched as rule of people for the people and by the people, and welcomed by people who were fed up with feudalism, dictatorship and kingship.

The West claimed to have expanded the scope of democracy, with Western liberal values and economic systems made an integral part of it. The West attributed its success and development to democracy and democratic institutions. The United States, the United Kingdom and European nations promoted the notion that democracy gave birth to open society and equal opportunity. And that liberty helped to grow the economy, benefiting the citizens. Using these arguments, the West started to promote its version of democracy across the world as a successful model of government. 

The truth, however, is far different. Western development cannot be credited to democracy or liberty. In reality, the West developed on the back of exploitation and looting of resources of weak nations. They colonized places like the Indian sub-continent and Latin American and African countries, and plundered their resources. They enslaved the locals and played havoc with their lives and resources. For example, it is estimated that Britain plundered as much as $45 trillion from the Indian subcontinent. 

The US, the purported champion of democracy and human rights, meanwhile turned Native Americans into slaves and third-class citizens. Aboriginals of Australia are another story to explore. Europeans invaded the land and enslaved the indigenous people and committed horrific crimes, including murder.

Given all these historical facts, the western claims of democracy and development do not hold any ground.

In reality, the Western democracy is just eyewash. It is a tool to extract economic benefits and control nations. As we know, after World War II the West changed tactics and shifted from occupying countries outright to controlling them by way of institutions. They introduced a new model of democracy, the warlord democracy, based on the principles of warlord capitalism. Economy and financial systems were identified as new tools to control countries. 

Global institutions like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank were established, devising a system in such a manner that real power remains in Western hands. The US, the UK and the EU occupied the driving seat to steer the system. Washington has veto power in the IMF and World Bank, with voting rights of 16.5 percent and 15.5 percent in the two institutions, respectively. 

The United Nations was created as a political arm to hide an economic and financial agenda in the guise of democracy and democratic institutions. But the West ensured its supremacy in the UN through veto rights in the Security Council. Hence, they can dictate countries and get the desired results. Whoever tries to oppose the system is compelled to face the consequences and the wrath of the system.

Simultaneously, the West also created a number of non-governmental (NGOs, think tanks, etc) and governmental institutions under the garb of democracy, development, freedom of speech and human rights. The institutions were entrusted with the task of creating a favorable ground for Western countries by using the slogans of promoting democracy, freedom of speech and human rights. 

For example, in 1983, then US president Ronald Reagan created the National Endowment Fund for Democracy, or NED, to promote Western-style democracy, ignoring the fact that the world is a diverse place. The Earth is home to multiple civilizations, cultures and societies, with each having their own value systems. Thus, one-sided ideology cannot address the problems and issues of whole world. 

But the West refused to acknowledge this fact and started to promote its own brand of democracy. And the NED is spearheading the campaign, with the organization now working in 90 countries. While it is using the name of democracy, in reality it is only working to ensure the hegemony of Western ideology. 

The West also created a number of other organizations to ensure its hegemony — entities like the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). These institutions are tasked to advance the agenda of their patrons in the guise of promoting development and democracy. For example, USAID has a mandate to follow the foreign policy objectives of Washington and promote Western democratic values abroad. And it is pretty much the same case in regard to the FCDO. 

Meanwhile, the media — both traditional and non-traditional — has been identified as a leading instrument to secure Western interests. Touted as independent entities that seek to protect human rights, freedom of speech and democracy, the media have been given the license to say anything about any country. 

For example, Pakistan has been facing negative propaganda in the name of terrorism since the turn of this century. And China is being criticized on baseless grounds and false allegations on topics such as human rights and democracy. The Western media has also played havoc with Hong Kong in the guise of democracy. 

Western governments and media forget the message of democracy when they have preferred dictators in power.

The West attacked many countries — such as Libya and Iraq — in the name of democracy. It has also imposed economic sanctions on a number of countries and paved the way for systematic suffering and deaths of people. 

Thus, it can be concluded that democracy, human rights and freedom of speech are only being used to advance a hidden agenda and colonize other countries in a new way. If Western nations really care about democracy, they must recognize the diversity of values, beliefs and models of democracy. 

And they should say goodbye to warlord democracy and work on people’s democracy. To show their commitment to people’s democracy, they will have to share their prosperity with poor countries to advance the goal of “no one left behind”. 

The author is CEO of Pakistan’s Asian Institute of Eco-Civilization Research and Development. 

The views do not necessarily represent those of China Daily.