At a time when modern democracy is facing multifaceted challenges globally it was a timely call from the United States to organize the Summit for Democracy. The Summit for Democracy was a virtual summit hosted by the United States “to renew democracy at home and confront autocracies abroad” on December 9–10, 2021. Leaders of more than one hundred countries took part in the U.S.-hosted Summit, seeking to spotlight efforts to confront authoritarianism, fight corruption, and promote human rights. China and Russia were not invited in the democracy summit. These two countries reacted furiously on U.S. President Joe Biden’s design and plan to exclude them. Further, Beijing was also angered over an invitation for Taiwan, the Kremlin branded the summit as divisive. In fact, the global conference was a campaign pledge by the U.S. president, who has placed the struggle between democracies and “autocratic governments” at the heart of his foreign policy.
Themes of the Summit
The three themes are defending against authoritarianism, addressing and fighting corruption, and advancing respect for human rights. With opening remarks from United States President Joe Biden, the New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made remarks about bolstering democratic resilience in the age of COVID-19 followed by panel discussions.
The need for Summit on Democracy was felt because in the last few years the USA saw disturbing trends in its own democracy which saw enough of authoritarianism, racism, polarsation and intolerance, especially while President Donald Trump was at the helm of affairs. As it appears from the subjects deliberated upon in the Summit for Democracy, a concern and need for combating the rise of authoritarian trends in China and some other countries was another reason for the summit. Last but not the least the concern to address increasing corruption in governance and public life was also a driving force for the summit.
Against Republican candidate Donald Trump’s mission ‘Make America Great Again’, Democrat candidate Joe Biden during the 2020 presidential campaign, ran on the premise that he would, if elected, restore a level of decency in U.S. politics, both at home and abroad. His proposal for a grand Summit of Democracies embodied his intent as president to rebuild the image and leadership of the United States in the world. This became even more urgent after the events of January 6, 2021.
The conference coincided with the two-day International Anti-Corruption Day and Human Rights Day. Discussions about protecting human rights considered the issue of empowering human rights defenders and independent media. During the intersession remarks, Hong Kong democracy activist Nathan Law made a speech. Discussions about strengthening democratic institutions and preventive measures to stop authoritarianism from happening were held. Threats to democracy in the digital age were also discussed regarding digital surveillance. The Summit ended with closing remarks from Biden. The United States calls invited attendees “participants”, in recognition that some attendees, such as Taiwan, are not states recognized by the United Nations or by the U.S., or Kosovo, which is not fully recognized by the United Nations member states.
But underneath the voice for restoring glory and essence of democracy was the desire to lambast the adversaries of the US, especially China and create a consensus among the participating members to contain China or compel it to mend its authoritarian ways.
Outcomes
The outcomes of Democracy Summit were mixed. The US was able to highlight concerns against future of democracy and hint towards China and other countries promoting authoritarianism and violating human rights. But the Summit did not get much publicity in Europe and elsewhere as its intentions were to bolster the image of the US as a global leader and democratic country. However, these goals were only partially realized as evidenced by prevailing atmosphere of extremist resentment in the US and fall in President Biden’s approval ratings to the low of 40 percents. The selection of invited countries, determined by both their moral rectitude and U.S. regional interests, was problematic, redolent of situations in which economic sanctions applied by the U.S. government also happen to serve U.S. companies. Third, many allies were reluctant to be drawn into what could be read as a U.S.-led anti-China coalition. Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Foreign Affairs minister, said as much. However, Working groups have been announced and it would gradually become clear whether the summit would do something concrete to realize its stated goals.
Democracy needs an overhaul globally
Democracy has come under increasing pressure in the last few years as the rightist wind is blowing in many parts of the world fanning over zealot notion of nationalism and majoritarianism. People are choosing to vote for charismatic and authoritarian leadership. Racial and religious minorities as well as migrants are increasingly becoming vulnerable. Constitutional and international laws and conventions are being flouted at will by strong nations and unilateralism in international relations has become a new normal. Economic growth is more often than not are accompanied by inequality. Development money is being siphoned off by vested interests for their private gains at the cost of public welfare. Democratic and economic institutions have been polluted by cronyism. Corruption in public dealing and governance has become rampant. The executive legislature and judiciary are operating hand in glove and the notion of separation of power and checks and balances has been sidetracked, which has eventually turned the governments bullish, brutal, willful, complacent and arrogant. People who are described as sovereigns in democracy are being gagged and denied freedom of speech and human rights.
Democracy needs reflection, reforms and action to once again claim its glory and beauty, as ‘a government of the people, by the people and for the people.’ But Summit for Democracy did not elicit much hope.