Is Democracy well organized?

Today is the International Democracy Day. The day has been observed worldwide as the Democracy Day since September 15, 2008. Almost every day of the year, some special days are celebrated all over the world. And these days get a different status than ordinary days due to some important considerations.

How is International Democracy Day? In a history said, In September 1997 the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) adopted a Universal Declaration on Democracy. That Declaration affirms the principles of democracy, the elements and exercise of democratic government, and the international scope of democracy.

The international conferences on new and restored democracies (ICNRD process) began in 1988 under the initiative of President Corazon C. Aquino of the Philippines after the so-called peaceful “People Power Revolution” overthrew the 20-year dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. Initially an inter-governmental forum, the ICNRD process developed into a tripartite structure with participation of governments, parliaments and civil society. The sixth conference (ICNRD-6) that took place in Doha, Qatar, in 2006 reinforced the tripartite nature of the process and concluded with a declaration and Plan of Action which reaffirmed the fundamental principles and values of democracy.

Following up on the outcome of ICNRD-6, an advisory board set up by the chair of the process, Qatar, decided to promote an International Day of Democracy. Qatar took the lead in drafting the text of a United Nations General Assembly resolution and convened consultations with UN member states. At the suggestion of the IPU, on 15 September (date of the Universal Declaration on Democracy) was chosen as the day when the international community would celebrate each year the International Day of Democracy. The resolution, titled “Support by the United Nations system of efforts of Governments to promote and consolidate new or restored democracies,” was adopted by consensus on 8 November 2007. Basically this day is observed to consolidate and strengthen democracy.

What is the real situation? Democracy is being practiced in the country? Is democracy consolidated?

Usually Democracy refers to the election of representatives and the exercise of voting rights. The main features of democracy are equality, freedom and rule of law. Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), a famous economist group in London, every year, 165 independent states and two regions has produced a report, called the Global Democracy Index that highlights the state of democracy.

According to the International Democracy Index published by the EIU in February this year, Bangladesh is ranked 75th in the list, a step ahead compared to last year. Bangladesh has again been recognized as a ‘Hybrid regime’ or mixed regime country in the index. Generally hybrid regime countries have authoritarian regimes.

Bangladesh was ranked 76th out of 165 countries in the EIU Democracy Index last year. Bangladesh is 75th among 167 countries in the list at this year.

Bangladesh’s score this year is 5.99 out of the benchmark 10 points in the democracy index. Although, Bangladesh has advanced one step in the list, but the points have not changed this year.

India and Sri Lanka are ahead of Bangladesh in terms of democracy in South Asian countries. Bhutan is at 81st position. Nepal 102nd, Pakistan 104th, Myanmar 166th.

Norway is the tops at the democracy index with 9.75 points. Once again, the United States has been included in the list of countries of “Cructurnal Democracy”. Afghanistan is at the bottom of the list.

A country with an average score of more than 8 on the index is considered a full democracy. The governance system of Bangladesh is included in EIU category III i.e. mixed governance. As a result, the government has to take a more positive role to consolidate the country’s democracy.