Of despair and hopes: Tales of Democratic aspirations in South East Asia

Abstract

The economically flourishing and politically vibrant region of South-East Asia has been leading the tough battle of integrating democratic values institutionally and culturally for a long time now. While some of the states in the region have made significant progress with functioning albeit flawed democracies, others are still running their state of affairs on governance ideologies not at all conducive to or tolerant of democratic values. With Brunei being an absolute monarchy, Laos and Vietnam striding the communist path and Myanmar under the Military Junta, the picture seems a bleak one. The Unitary and Presidential Republics that Indonesia and Philippines are, they have their own everyday struggles to sustain democratic institutions from forces of democratic erosion. Politics dominated by political dynasties and celebrities in Philippines is one instance. Another is the weakening of opposition parties and civil society in Indonesia. Similarly, de facto one party democracy of Cambodia with no opposition presents its own challenges. Singapore, with its unique indigenous model of governance, is an interesting case itself that begs the question of whether democracy can be accepted with altered versions that are locally suitable but are in contrast to some of the universal democratic values that today’s international community holds dear. This paper delves into the various moulds, pieces and aspirations of Democracy that exist in this region. It discusses the challenges that erode and hinder Democratic values and institutions in the region and the constructive ways of overcoming them. It takes into account the specific cases of ASEAN members in this regard and also analyses ASEAN’s role in it. The paper also illustrates how Democracy is essential to sustain economic development in the long run.

Key words: Democratic backsliding, Authoritarianism, Co-optation, civil society