Globalization vs. Democratization - I
WORLD ORDER
27 february 2008
They don’t want to univerAsalize the world but to have it Westernised. But we must not forget Globalization is the antithesis of democracy, writes Bhat Younes. History is replete with instances that in every period there used to be some norms associated with life, which not only became the order of day but also popularized the period to the extent that the periods are now been interpreted or contextualized with reference to those norms. The manifestations of such norms could be traced from the privileged citizenship of the Greek period, laws of the Roman Empire or nature rights theories of 17th and 18th century. In the contemporary world, the order of the day is globalization and democratization. The former involves integration of world economics and ‘permeability of territorial borders’. The latter is associated with ‘popularizing people’s rule’ and ‘redress grievances of the marginalized or under-privileged sections of the societies’.
Rajni Khotari, a noted political scientist while commenting on the new forms of capitalism says that “it is a bastard economy’. In the globalized world, the national governments are not able to integrate offered services to the people. Thereby, it has resulted in a situation which Rajni Kothari names as “social- Darwinism”, which is a market situation where logic is “big fish eats small fish” or in Darwin’s terminology “survival of the fittest”.
At present different forces are in operation at global-level. The dawn of 21st century accelerated the process of democratization. The 9/11 has given a new dimension to this process “Democracy’’ being a moral notion in many perspectives is known for being manipulated and mis-interpreted by ‘big-fish’, not for the sake of democratization but for their own interests. Its best manifestation or reflection could be the results from Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Then what is democracy is all about? This can be interpreted in many perspectives, but a substantive perspective of democracy is nothing but good life. C.B.Macpherson, a contemporary exponent of the radical theory of democracy, has a view that different types of systems which undertake to fulfill the aspirations of the masses, enjoy support of the masses and provide for an opportunity for the amelioration of the conditions of the masses, qualify as democracies, irrespective of the structures and procedures adopted by them for surviving these purposes.
Many questions could be asked: does the present proxies of demoralization vis-à-vis the phenomenon of globalization fulfills the aspirations of the different sections of contemporary societies? Does present process of democratization reflects a substantive or a true nature of democracy? Is globalization phenomenon conducive for democratization? Do the forces working under globalization trend favor the democratization? These questions require a deeper analysis given the new paradigms which are prevalent in present day societies. One important analysis of these new paradigms has been given by Ulrich-beck’s idea (1992) of a “RISK-Society”. A “RISK-Society” is one that is characterized by rising individualism and associated weakening of tradition, community and established institution. The basic question vis-à-vis the phenomenon of globalization is that, can true nature of democracy survive in the globalized world? Can values of democracy and its prospectus survive or could be achieved under the phenomenon of globalization? Deep analysis reveals the fact that democracy and globalization are not compatible to one-another. The value of democracy have been underestimated by the forces (MNC’S, TNC’S) which are in operation in globalized world. In the globalized world people’s basic values and even the sense of identity is called to question.
Rajni Khotari, a noted political scientist while commenting on the new forms of capitalism says that “it is a bastard economy’. In the globalized world, the national governments are not able to integrate offered services to the people. Thereby, it has resulted in a situation which Rajni Kothari names as “social- Darwinism”, which is a market situation where logic is “big fish eats small fish” or in Darwin’s terminology “survival of the fittest”.
At present different forces are in operation at global-level. The dawn of 21st century accelerated the process of democratization. The 9/11 has given a new dimension to this process “Democracy’’ being a moral notion in many perspectives is known for being manipulated and mis-interpreted by ‘big-fish’, not for the sake of democratization but for their own interests. Its best manifestation or reflection could be the results from Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Then what is democracy is all about? This can be interpreted in many perspectives, but a substantive perspective of democracy is nothing but good life. C.B.Macpherson, a contemporary exponent of the radical theory of democracy, has a view that different types of systems which undertake to fulfill the aspirations of the masses, enjoy support of the masses and provide for an opportunity for the amelioration of the conditions of the masses, qualify as democracies, irrespective of the structures and procedures adopted by them for surviving these purposes.
Many questions could be asked: does the present proxies of demoralization vis-à-vis the phenomenon of globalization fulfills the aspirations of the different sections of contemporary societies? Does present process of democratization reflects a substantive or a true nature of democracy? Is globalization phenomenon conducive for democratization? Do the forces working under globalization trend favor the democratization? These questions require a deeper analysis given the new paradigms which are prevalent in present day societies. One important analysis of these new paradigms has been given by Ulrich-beck’s idea (1992) of a “RISK-Society”. A “RISK-Society” is one that is characterized by rising individualism and associated weakening of tradition, community and established institution. The basic question vis-à-vis the phenomenon of globalization is that, can true nature of democracy survive in the globalized world? Can values of democracy and its prospectus survive or could be achieved under the phenomenon of globalization? Deep analysis reveals the fact that democracy and globalization are not compatible to one-another. The value of democracy have been underestimated by the forces (MNC’S, TNC’S) which are in operation in globalized world. In the globalized world people’s basic values and even the sense of identity is called to question.
part II can be read at greaterkashmir.com of dated 28th feb. 2008
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