Why democracy is still the best form of government | Alex Tan | TEDxChristchurch

Summary

The speaker highlights the challenges and strengths of democracy, acknowledging its imperfections while emphasizing its resilience and value. Through personal anecdotes and global comparisons, they argue that despite the rise of populism and extremism, democracy remains the most effective system for governance. The speaker underscores the importance of voter participation and institutional adaptability, stating that while democracy is not perfect, it is far better than the alternatives. Ultimately, democracy is portrayed as an ongoing journey rather than a destination.

Takeaways

• 📈 The rise of extremist parties and populism reflects the challenges faced by democracies, especially in comparison to some non-democratic regimes with seemingly better economic performance.
• 🇹🇼 The chaotic scenes in Taiwan's parliament highlight the messiness of democratic politics, yet surveys show that Taiwanese citizens still strongly support their democracy.
• 🌏 Global surveys indicate that despite criticisms, the majority of citizens in democracies, including in countries like the U.S., Canada, and South Korea, continue to support democratic systems.
• 💰 On average, democracies tend to be wealthier, less corrupt, and have higher levels of human development, happiness, and human rights compared to non-democracies.
• 🗳️ Populism and extremism, while concerning, also demonstrate the resilience of democracies, as these movements often struggle to maintain power without compromise.
• ⚖️ Non-democracies lack checks and balances, leading to unrestrained policies that can result in disastrous outcomes, as seen in historical events like China's Cultural Revolution.
• 🔄 The democratic process, including majority voting, allows for self-correction and the moderation of policies, making democracies dynamic and adaptable.
• 👥 Voter turnout is crucial in determining the outcome of elections; low turnout can lead to outcomes that don't reflect the majority's views.
• 🏛️ Democratic institutions, such as parliaments, constitutions, and electoral systems, are designed to reflect core values like responsiveness, accountability, and equality.
• 🚧 Democracy is an ongoing experiment that requires continuous adjustment of institutions to align with evolving societal values, making it a journey rather than a fixed destination.

Q & A

What are some reasons people are questioning whether democracy is failing?

People are questioning whether democracy is failing due to the rise of extremist parties, populism, economic challenges, and the perception that democratic politics is messy and unresponsive.

Why does the speaker believe democracy is still the best system of governance?

The speaker argues that democracy is still the best system because, on average, democracies are wealthier, less corrupt, have higher levels of human development, and offer more human rights, making citizens happier and healthier.

What is the significance of the anecdote about martial law in the Philippines?

The anecdote about martial law in the Philippines illustrates the fear and helplessness experienced under authoritarian rule, contrasting it with the freedoms and protections offered by democracy.

How do surveys reflect the public's support for democracy?

Surveys conducted globally, including in countries like the United States, Taiwan, and Indonesia, show that the majority of citizens support democracy, despite its challenges.

What are some factors contributing to the pessimism about democracy?

Pessimism about democracy stems from perceptions of political gridlock, unresponsive public policy, and the rise of populism and extremism, which can threaten democratic stability.

How does the speaker view the rise of populist and extremist parties in democracies?

The speaker views the rise of populist and extremist parties as a sign of democracy's resilience, as these parties often struggle to form governments on their own and must compromise with coalition partners.

What does the speaker say about the stability of policies in democracies compared to non-democracies?

The speaker argues that democracies provide credible constraints and commitments that prevent wild swings in policies, unlike non-democracies, which often experience significant policy volatility with disastrous results.

Why is voter turnout important in a democracy, according to the speaker?

Voter turnout is crucial because a higher turnout ensures that the median voter position, which is more moderate and tolerant, prevails. Low turnout can lead to the voices of the few dominating the majority.

How do institutions and the structure of government impact democracy?

Institutions and government structures are designed to reflect democratic values like accountability, representation, and responsiveness. The choice of these institutions can significantly impact how well these values are achieved.

What does the speaker mean by saying 'democracy is not a destination but a journey'?

The speaker means that democracy is an ongoing process that continuously evolves. It requires adaptation and adjustment over time to remain effective and aligned with societal values.

Outlines

00:00

📈 The Challenges Facing Democracy

This paragraph discusses the perceived challenges facing democracies, highlighting issues like the rise of extremist parties, populism, and economic struggles. These problems, contrasted with the seemingly better performance of some non-democracies, lead citizens to question whether democracy is failing. The author reflects on personal experiences of dictatorship in the Philippines, emphasizing that despite its flaws, democracy remains the best system for large-scale governance.

05:02

🗳️ The Resilience of Democracy Amid Populism and Extremism

This paragraph explores how the rise of populism and extremism, while concerning, actually demonstrates democracy's resilience. It argues that although these movements gain some ground, they often struggle to maintain power due to the need for compromise within democratic systems. Non-democracies, by contrast, are prone to unchecked swings in policy. The author highlights how history has shown the disastrous consequences of unaccountable, unresponsive governance.

10:05

🔧 The Ongoing Experiment of Democracy

This paragraph focuses on the continuous evolution of democratic institutions to reflect societal values like responsiveness, accountability, and representation. It discusses the variety of democratic systems globally, emphasizing that no single institution can perfectly embody democratic ideals. The author argues that while some systems are better at achieving democratic values, they must be adaptable as society changes. Ultimately, democracy is described not as a destination, but as an ongoing journey that must evolve to stay effective.

Keywords

💡Democracy

Democracy is a system of government where power is vested in the hands of the people, typically through elected representatives. The video emphasizes democracy's resilience despite its flaws, such as gridlock and unresponsiveness, and contrasts it with non-democratic systems that lack accountability. Examples from the script include discussions on democratic elections, citizen support, and the variety of democratic institutions.

💡Populism

Populism is a political approach that seeks to represent the interests of ordinary people, often by contrasting them with the elite. In the video, populism is mentioned as a response to the perceived failures of democracy, leading to the rise of extremist parties. However, these parties often struggle to govern effectively or maintain power in democratic systems.

💡Extremism

Extremism refers to political ideologies or actions that are far removed from the mainstream. The video discusses the rise of extremist parties in some democracies, driven by dissatisfaction with the status quo. While these parties can pose a threat to democracy, the video argues that democracy's resilience often prevents them from gaining too much power.

💡Authoritarianism

Authoritarianism is a system of government characterized by strong central power and limited political freedoms. The video contrasts authoritarian regimes with democracies, highlighting the lack of checks and balances in non-democracies. An example given is the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines, where military rule suppressed civil liberties.

💡Human Rights

Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person. The video argues that democracies generally provide better protection of human rights compared to non-democracies. This is illustrated by the contrast between democratic governance and the abuses seen during events like China's Cultural Revolution.

💡Elections

Elections are a democratic process where citizens vote to choose their leaders or decide on policy issues. The video highlights the importance of elections in ensuring that democracies remain responsive to the people's will. It also discusses the impact of voter turnout on the outcomes of elections, emphasizing that low turnout can lead to less representative results.

💡Political Gridlock

Political gridlock occurs when there is difficulty passing laws or making decisions due to conflicts between different branches of government or political parties. The video mentions gridlock as a common frustration in democracies, contributing to the perception that democratic systems are ineffective. However, it also suggests that this messiness is preferable to the unchecked power in non-democracies.

💡Checks and Balances

Checks and balances are mechanisms in democratic systems designed to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful. The video underscores the importance of these constraints in democracies, which prevent wild swings in policy and ensure accountability. In contrast, non-democracies often lack such mechanisms, leading to unrestrained power.

💡Accountability

Accountability refers to the responsibility of government officials to be answerable to the people. The video highlights how democratic systems foster accountability through elections, institutions, and checks and balances. It contrasts this with non-democracies, where leaders often lack accountability, leading to poor governance and public policy failures.

💡Resilience

Resilience in the context of democracy refers to the system's ability to endure challenges and adapt over time. The video argues that despite the rise of populism and extremism, democracies remain resilient, as evidenced by the ability of moderate, rational voices to prevail in elections. This resilience is seen as a key strength of democratic systems.

Highlights

The speaker discusses the contrast between the perceived messiness of democratic politics and the seeming tidiness of some non-democracies.

The video shows the Taiwanese parliament, illustrating the intensity of democratic debate, which contrasts with authoritarian nostalgia in some citizens.

The speaker recalls personal experiences under martial law in the Philippines, highlighting the fear and helplessness of living under a dictatorship.

Despite the messiness and inefficiencies, surveys show that citizens of democracies worldwide still largely support their democratic systems.

Democracies tend to be wealthier, have higher human development, lower corruption, and better human rights compared to non-democracies.

The rise of populism and extremism is seen as both a threat to democracy and a sign of its resilience, as these forces often struggle to gain lasting power.

Non-democracies often experience extreme policy swings due to the lack of checks and balances, while democracies provide more stability.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of voting, noting that low turnout can lead to surprising election results and skewed outcomes.

The variety of democratic institutions around the world reflects the values societies hold, with no single system being perfect for all.

Research suggests that multi-party proportional parliamentary systems are particularly effective at achieving democratic goals.

Democracy is described as a continuous experiment, requiring ongoing adjustment of institutions to reflect evolving societal values.

The speaker warns against clinging to outdated institutions, advocating for reforms to keep democracy effective and relevant.

The speaker argues that while democracy is imperfect, it is preferable to the alternatives, which are often far worse.

The speech concludes with a reminder that democracy is a journey, not a destination, emphasizing the importance of collective participation.

The importance of democratic institutions in ensuring representation, accountability, and responsiveness is highlighted throughout the speech.

Transcripts

[Music]

[Applause]

the rice of extremist parties and

politics populism protests the poor

economic performance of some democracies

and the messiness of democratic politics

stands in stark contrast to the seeming

tidiness of societies and better

economic performance of some non

democracies

[Applause]

that is the democratically elected

parliament of Taiwan and their

legislators getting very excited about a

recent budget bill debate this and other

recent global events have made

frustrated citizens of democracies ask

the question is democracy failing to

deliver the goods is democracy in crisis

is democracy at a tipping point

I remembered very very clearly as a

young kid growing up in Manila

Philippines when the military and the

soldiers with their tanks rolled in my

neighborhood streets to set up a

checkpoint as President Ferdinand Marcos

declared martial law and established his

dictatorship

I remembered very very clearly when my

father together with the neighbourhood

men were all called down to line up on

the streets being vetted and patted down

by armed soldiers as a little kid the

fear of being so helpless in that kind

of situation is simply simply unbearable

yes democratic politics is messy our

demands are so many and we're very noisy

our economic performance it's not

particularly great but democracy is

still the best system of large-scale

governance anywhere surveys have shown

us globally that citizens of democracy

support their democracy even in Taiwan

this young democracy of Taiwan where we

just saw that very interesting clip

journalists love to report that stuff

it leaves Taiwanese kind of shaking

their head and even some nostalgic about

the authoritarian era but

surveys upon surveys conducted by my

colleagues at Taiwan's election study

centre shows that Taiwanese citizens are

very supportive of their democracy

global survey conducted by the Pew

Research Centre in 2017 also shows that

majority of Democratic citizens support

democracy countries like the United

States Canada UK Germany France

Australia majority of their citizens

support democracy even in our own

neighborhood of the asia-pacific the

young democracies of Indonesia South

Korea and the Philippines majority of

their citizens also support democracy

indeed this support for democracy is

justified because the democracy delivers

the goods when we compare democracies

and non democracies on average

democracies are wealthier they have

higher level of human development

democracies are less corrupt citizens of

democracies are happier and healthier

and citizens of democracies enjoy more

human rights so why didn't all the

complaints and grumblings about the

failings of democracy the pessimism

about democracy in part it is because of

the perception of the gridlock and

stalemate in democratic politics the

unresponsiveness of public policy

politicians that seem to be detached

from everyday lives and do not listen to

the common people which leads to

political alienation and in some way the

response is the rise of populism and

extremism which leads to further

pessimism and the fear that democracy

may be degrading yes the rise of

populism and extremism may degrade

democracy it may even threaten democracy

but if we look at it from another

another perspective it actually shows

that democracy is quite resilient the

resilience of democracy is evidenced by

the voices of the silent rational

majority during elections and voting

time yes

these populist parties and extremist

parties may have gained some ground in

some democracies but overall these type

of political parties find it difficult

to form government on their own and if

they are part of a coalition often find

themselves needing to compromise to come

up with acceptable policy constrained by

their other coalition partners and even

pay the price in a succeeding election

non-democracies often witness large

slings and volatilities in their

policies like a pendulum unhindered

unencumbered unconstraint checks and

balances and accountability are simply

absent in non-democracies democracies

provide credible constraints and

credible commitments in order to limit

these wild swings in policies history is

full of examples when non-democracies

get their public policy so wrong with

disastrous results

China's Cultural Revolution where more

than 500,000 people died more than a

million people persecuted and sent to

labor camps shows to us the weakness and

critical flaws of a government of the

one or of the few that is unresponsive

and accountable and unconstrained

in contrast the simple use of majority

voting that we use in democracies for

decision-making allows us to be correct

more often than we are wrong

elections and voting are away

democracies make decisions in like an

economic market we're in the democratic

political market offers us many options

many choices all on the table for all of

us to choose from the richness of the

variety of options for us shows how

dynamic our democracies are and in the

process of selecting the silent majority

wins and often times it is the median

voter that wins and this position is

more tolerant and more moderate of

course this is not to say that the

median voter or the voter cannot be

influenced a society change values

change voter preferences will change but

radical changes in the median voter

position hinges on two things the vote

and the vote now what do I mean by this

simply put if all of us vote then

societies but the societies middle

position will win out and that often is

the median voter position more moderate

and more tolerant

however if only some of us vote most of

us do not vote then the voices of the

few will drown out the voices of the

many the median position of a small

turnout election is very different from

the median position of a large turnout

election so when a surprise election

result do pop up often times one the

reason it's low Turner so why do we

blame democracy when we should actually

be blaming ourselves for not going to

vote during election day

now what about institutions and

structure of government we

constitutionally engineer

and create these institutions to come as

close to the values we hold dear and

associate with democracy but what are

these values responsiveness

representation accountability equality

checks and balance these are just some

of the values we associate with

democracy throughout the centuries we

have created different types of

institutions to maximize these values we

associate with democracy just look at

the world's democracy and the variation

in institutions and structure of

government parliamentary presidential

multi-party two-party democracy is a

continuous experiment even the basic

institution of elections and voting

allows us to achieve responsiveness

representation and accountability but

all of us have to vote if not the voices

of the minority will drown out the

voices of the majority and the Sean

Penn's character in the movie all the

king's men said if you don't vote you

don't matter institutions matter it

constrains us it gives us choices of

options and therefore determines

outcomes we create these institutions to

achieve democracy we adopt these

institutions as close to the values of

democracy that we hold dear just look at

the democracy around the world the

variation and the richness of it no one

type of institution will do that job

though but having said that we know that

there are some institutions that will

help us achieve accountability

responsiveness and

senator Venus better than others we know

there's a clear difference between

parliamentary and presidential systems

between two-party and multi party

systems between proportional systems and

majoritarian systems between prime

ministers and precedence research and

political science have shown to us that

multi-party proportional parliamentary

systems do a good job at achieving

accountability representation and

responsiveness the choice of these

institutions reflect our values but

remember societal values change and

evolve through time in history

institutions then need to be adjusted

and tweaked in order for contemporary

societal values to be reflected on them

and that these institutions are fit for

purpose the problem is when we hold on

to these institutions some institutions

like old tools that are increasingly

obsolete and believing that they are

still the only effective tool to solve

modern problems like I said democracy is

indeed a continuing experiment we never

really arrived at democracy for

democracy is not a destination but

democracy is the journey we take

together as a people as a nation as a

country this image serves to remind us

that non democracies that is

unrepresentative unaccountable

unconstrained government of the few or

of the one is far more disastrous than

the government of the people for the

people and by the people

democracy ain't perfect but we should

never let the perfect be the enemy of

the good

I agree democracy may have its problems

but believe me the alternatives are

worse thank you

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