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Democracy, Conflict and Human Security: Pursuing Peace in the 21St Century

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Democracy, Conflict and Human Security: Pursuing Peace in the 21St Century Democracy, Conflict and Human Security: Pursuing Peace in the 21st Century Democracy, Conflict and Human Security: Pursuing Peace in the 21st Century Judith Large and Timothy D. Sisk This work draws on background studies prepared by a group of contributing authors. The full version of these case studies will be published in a companion volume, entitled Democracy, Conflict and Human Security, volume II: Further Readings (ISBN 91-85391-75-1). Contributing authors: Reginald Austin, Najib Azca, Feargal Cochrane, Olayinka Creighton-Randall, Andrew Ellis, J. ’Kayode Fayemi, Guido Galli, Yash Ghai, Enrique ter Horst, Aziz Z. Huq, Todd Landman, Gurpreet Mahajan, Khabele Matlosa, George Gray Molina, Arifah Rahmawati, and Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu. Handbook Series The International IDEA Handbook Series seeks to present comparative analysis, information and insights on a range of democratic institutions and processes. Handbooks are aimed primarily at policymakers, politicians, civil society actors and practitioners in the field. They are also of interest to academia, the democracy assistance community and other bodies. International IDEA publications are independent of specific national or political interests. Views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the views of International IDEA, its Board or its Council members. © International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance 2006 Applications for permission to reproduce or translate all or any part of this publication should be made to: Publications Office International IDEA SE -103 34 Stockholm Sweden International IDEA encourages dissemination of its work and will promptly respond to requests for permission to reproduce or translate its publications. Graphic design by: Trydells Forum Cover photos Corner photo (right): André Maslennikov © SCANPIX Photo (upper right): Maria Zarnayova © SCANPIX Photo on the left: David Isaksson © Global Reporting Printed by: Trydells Tryckeri AB, Sweden ISBN: 91-85391-74-3 This publication has been supported by the Human Security Program of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Canada Foreword Our main task in today’s global community is to accept and live up to the triple challenge of development, security and human rights. These three challenges are together highest on the United Nation agenda. They affect and reinforce each other. One of the most serious threats to our common security emerges from human desperation in societies which lack in respect for human rights and democracy. Acting for democracy is acting for peace and security. Democracy is also a strong driving force for development. Our efforts to promote respect for human rights and democracy are not only ethically motivated. We can also add the effects on security and development when we promote and defend the fundamental right to vote. Democratic rights, economic strength – and how it is distributed – social cohesion, environmental balance and well educated people cannot be separated in today’s world. We need more than ever to deal with our common future in a holistic way. The only way democracy will prove itself is through a living relationship between peoples and their governments based on trust, accountability and the determination to deliver practical results. International IDEA has worked for over ten years as an organization dedicated to assistance for democracy based on clear principles which include: local ownership, support for legitimate national processes and multiparty pluralism as well as the belief that democracy is an evolving process. This publication, Democracy, Conflict and Human Security: Pursuing Peace in the 21st Century, gives us a deeper knowledge and understanding on how we can advocate and live up to democratic practice and principles. It will also challenge us to look at the evolution of democratic systems and democracy assistance, with particular attention to the impact of changes in the world economy and global communications. It argues for the overriding need to address complexity while always returning to basic principles in practice and process. IDEA reclaims the vision and the viability of democratic approaches. Respecting the voices of the peoples and the values of an open society will be a crucial and fundamental contribution both to global security and development. Jan Eliasson President of the 60th General Assembly of the United Nations Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sweden i Preface International IDEA has entered its second decade of work as an intergovernmental body dedicated to supporting democratization worldwide. The key messages of its founding mandate—the importance of local ownership, dialogue processes and context- appropriate design—are increasingly relevant. For many across the world, democracy is in a crisis of legitimacy and credibility. The idea that people have the right to control their government and that a government is legitimate only if and when it is controlled by the people has won almost global recognition, hardly matched by any other world view in modern history. It transcends cultures, religions and languages; it takes multiple forms and survives in the most inhospitable environments. However, the way in which the idea of democracy is translated into practice can leave much to be desired. In a world characterized by rising inequality democratic systems will be judged on how they include and deliver to constituent populations. Democratization processes are in themselves conflictual, involving the reconfiguring of power relations, and competition for resources and representation. Informed analysis and local involvement are key to any positive outcome. In societies emerging from war, they are essential for preventing reversal and securing a just peace. While the promotion of democracy is more central in foreign policy debate and conduct than ever before, it is also true that democracy building is increasingly viewed by many with suspicion. There is polarization of views on both intent and approach, and undemocratic regimes are exploiting the situation. This book addresses the nexus between democracy, conflict and human security in a way which recognizes that this is highly political, not technical, terrain. It places at centre stage the fundamental need for democratic practice, and reminds us that in every society, North and South, the democratic project is a long-term, ongoing one. This publication is part of IDEA’s efforts to contribute to a major ongoing debate and, hopefully, to the strengthening of a democratic practice that responds to the quests for human dignity and development. International IDEA would like to express particular appreciation to the Human Security Program of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Canada, which has supported this project and publication. Additional thanks are due to the Geneva Centre for Security Policy for their cooperation and shared interest in the theme. A number of individuals have contributed to discussions and input, and you will find quotations from many of them inside this volume, as well as longer papers in Volume II. They include Armineh Arakelian, Reginald Austin, Najib Azca, Ilán Bizberg, James Boyce, Feargal Cochrane, Olayinka Creighton-Randall, Chris Dolan, Kajsa Eriksson, ii J. ’Kayode Fayemi, Goran Fejic, Aziz Z. Huq, Khabele Matlosa, Amal al-Sabbagh, Ozias Tungwarara, Arifah Rahmawati, Leena Rikkilä and Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu. Judith Large, Senior Advisor for Democracy Building and Conflict Management at IDEA, spearheaded the 2004/5 ‘Confronting 21st Century Challenges’ enquiry process and convened our Consultative Advisory Group in April 2005, to whom we also owe our thanks: Abdulkadir Yahya Ali, Ilán Bizberg, Béchir Chourou, Andrew Ellis, Alvaro Garcia, Joao Gomes Porto, Enrique ter Horst, Khabele Matlosa, Arifah Rahmawati, Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, Massimo Tommasoli, Nkoyo Toyo, and Bernard Wood. As lead writer, Timothy Sisk provided the initial theoretical framework and manuscript for this meeting, and it was out of robust deliberations engaged with this first draft that the focus on human security emerged for subsequent development. Carlos Jaurez and Monty Marshall have assisted in the finalizing of the work. Our appreciation and thanks go to Tim and Judith for bringing Volume I to completion, for their careful attention to a complex agenda and a multitude of voices, and for offering it as a vehicle for action. Within IDEA people who have helped directly include Goran Fejic, Sakuntala Kadirgamar-Rajasingham, Andrew Ellis, Abdalla Hamdok and Daniel Zovatto. Several committed staff members have helped us see the process through, including Katarina Jörgensen and Cecilia Bylesjö. Thanks also go to Fran Lesser, Kristen Sample and Ileana Aguilar, to Eve Johansson for her patience and attention to detail, and to IDEA’s dedicated publications manager Nadia Handal Zander. We would also like to thank former IDEA Board member Kuniko Inoguchi, currently Minister of State for Gender Equality and Social Affairs, Japan, for her encouragement at the beginning of this enquiry and for the broader study. Finally, we express our gratitude to the member states of IDEA, without whose support the work would not have been possible. To them, and to all our readers, we hope that Democracy, Conflict, and Human Security: Pursuing Peace in the 21st Century will stand as a useful contribution to the challenges we all face, in varying contexts and circumstances. Vidar Helgesen Secretary-General, International IDEA iii Contents
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