It might very well be the most favourable time to unleash a book centred around democracy. This statement corresponds to the events lined up for 2024, which is expected to see the largest ever voter turnout. The electoral wave isn’t solely attributable to the power of democracy. It’s also due to the simultaneity of elections in several countries with high populations, which includes the US, Russia, Ukraine, Indonesia, India, the UK, and the European Union among others. A whopping count of 64 nations are slated for elections, encapsulating nearly half the global population. Ireland will be involved in local elections, European Parliament elections and potentially a general election.
Among the nations holding elections, some, such as Russia, Belarus, North Korea, and South Sudan, hardly exhibit democratic traits, yet intriguingly, still conduct elections even if results can be forecasted.
Having taught in esteemed institutions like Oxford, Yale, and the London School of Economics, Erica Benner propounds a stimulating and digestible insight into the evolution, potency, and vulnerabilities of democracy over a span of 2,500 years. Her account is everything but a conventional textbook on politics. It is a reflection of her individual journey, originating from her childhood in Japan at a time when democracy was enforced by victorious wartime forces, passing through her British boarding school, a teenage infatuation with Lenin and Ayn Rand, and culminating with teaching in recently democratic Poland. The dialogue is peppered with figures from political discourse, both acclaimed and infamous – such as Viktor Orban, Donald Trump, Voltaire, and Thomas Jefferson – and further enlightened by the thoughts of eminent figures like Pericles, Plato, Solon the lawmaker, and Machiavelli, to name a few. It must be underscored that Benner’s profound knowledge isn’t overwhelming.
The big question posed by Benner ponders the feasibility of democracy as a governing mechanism that revolves around incessant discussions among possibly ill-informed public. Despite the challenges, she affirms democracy’s capability but contends that this mustn’t manifest as arrogance about western democracy being the epitome of political success. She insists on a greater quotient of honesty in conversations contrasting the ideal form and the actual instances of contemporary democracy.
Benner expresses apprehension over the belief that the collapse of communism signalled the culmination of history. This, coupled with the notion that democracy is inherently progressive, she warns, aligns with the misleading Greek notion of dangerous hubris.
Her Polish pupils challenge the notion of democracy they perceived as foreign, and lament the poverty that accompanied the collapse of communism. The inception of privatisation in the veil of “liberal” democracy paved the path for ultra-wealthy oligarchs to rise and thrive, often at the detriment of the common people and their employment, a reality seemingly misinterpreted in the West.
Taking a glimpse into history, Solon’s wisdom imparted upon the Athenians of 600 BCE on peaceful cohabitation – by striving for equality among citizens and minimizing economic disparities to ensure liberty and enable the progression of living conditions – resonates similarly with what Benner proposes for present times. She churns up a critical query: What’s the potential impact on politics should the accumulation of wealth not be restrained? The affluent may exploit their wealth to manipulate legislation in self-interest, gain control over news and social media to propel their agendas, or engage in cunning and ruthless actions above the law.
And what of the likes of Trump, Le Pen, Modi who partake in democratic affairs, what was Plato’s viewpoint? In stark contrast to an admired and virtuous leader who mitigates party conflicts and enhances public condition, bestowing them with sound judgement and a readiness to cooperate for the collective benefit, lies the demagogue. This type of leader, representing a faction rather than the populace, believes himself to be a saviour amid hordes of lethal adversaries, and attempts to seize control over the political landscape. The intricate dynamics binding the people and the demagogue doesn’t necessarily imply subservience from the former, but a note of caution from Benner suggests, unchecked tenure in office could potentially lead to such a scenario.
Corruption and divisions are integral elements of all democracies, declares Benner, with inequality being a key issue highlighted in her book. She contests the ludicrous assumption that democracy innately brings about heightened equality, a belief failure of which can shatter even the most intricately designed constitution.
Moreover, Benner doesn’t claim to hold a solution to democracy’s ailments, rather, she recommends periodic assessments. Despite their inherent shortcomings, she believes democracies come closest in establishing a milieu where people can express, critique, love, and cast their vote without dread. They are worth defending, and Benner’s book is a timely nudge reminding us that we all have a role to fulfil in this endeavour.
It is regrettable that Benner, who is known to pen down her insights on the concept of power sharing, doesn’t scrutinise the experiment of Northern Ireland in her work. It’s equally unfortunate that an index was not incorporated into the book by her publishing house.
Michael Foley, a retired professor from the Technological University Dublin has an extensive involvement in numerous projects related to media and the establishment of democracy in regions such as the Balkans, the Caucasus, and the Middle East.