Democracy Summit was a publicity stunt

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Ronald Sanders’ commentary on December 11, titled ‘Democracy Summit missed an essential ingredient’, was a most interesting and informative read, but the following also need to be taken into consideration:

1. Democracy, American-style, must first begin to work at home before it can be recommended for those abroad.

So the rising undemocratic, autocratic institutions and individuals in America at this moment– which were alluded to by Sanders – with these troubling developments besetting America, it will be understood that if democracy can’t work, and doesn’t work, in America. So then, America can’t insist on foisting such a flawed system on other nations.

2. There are other democratic traditions out there – not the kind of idealistic, Jeffersonian philosophical and political type that America claims to have. So those democratic traditions that are natural to other countries should be supported by America, not dismantled in preference for the shaky and gridlocked American democratic and political system that now exists.

3. Recall that America has, over very many decades, tried to export its brand of democracy to other countries, often by the barrel of a gun. Where has those democratic efforts got America, and those countries where democracy was imposed?

That type of American democracy has led to wars, creation of autocratic leaders propped up by American money and militarism; human-rights abuses; and massive outflows of refugees from these countries. A case in point is Afghanistan.

4. The Biden brand of democracy that is now proposed will work no better than those other types of American democratic misadventures which have preceded Biden’s administration.

5. If America wants to make democracy real and workable, both at home and abroad, Biden must take note of what Sanders said:

“Essential to sustaining democracy globally is development. In underdeveloped countries with large pockets of poor, unemployed and discontented, political parties exploit these conditions to foster unrest and civil disturbance.”

6. Given the many political and financial constraints facing America now, and in the future, Biden’s ‘Summit for Democracy’ is just a surreal public relations stunt.

GEORGE GARWOOD

Florida