Democracy

The Times quotes Polish President Lech Walesa as follows: “I’m on the borderline between sticking with democracy and pluralism, or having a little less democracy” (Part A, June 29). That Walesa could treat the compromise of democratic rights as a minor expedient should remind us that in these heady days of exuberance over the worldwide collapse of dictatorial regimes, and the rise of “democracy,” it is important to keep our perspective. It is natural for us to assume that democracy, as we define it, is the natural order of things, and that other countries will rush to accept it; however, this may not always be the case.

Many of the countries in Europe and Asia (as well as in Africa) have no democratic tradition. The Russian people have known only autocratic rule back into tribal times. In Russia and in many other countries there is no concept such as we hold that rights are held by the people and ceded voluntarily to governments. Rather, the traditions and history have created an acceptance that rights are held by governments and granted by them to individuals. There is not the confidence or acceptance of the idea that majority voting can intelligently provide for a functional government.

All one need do is to read the news to see many examples. A short step back into history shows us that in much of Europe, before World War II, there was a movement towards fascist regimes. This was not an imposed structure, but rather one preferred by the people to one of democratic rule.

We are riding a wave of optimism and euphoria over what is happening around the world. The realities that are likely to come out of the current events are likely to be much harsher than we now realize.

JOHN V.R. KING

Blue Jay