[The Independent, U.K.]
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Sueddeutsche
Zeitung, Germany
Democracy vs.
Autocracy: 2012 Will Be Critical Year
"Cynicism
toward democracy is the greatest wound to the U.S. system. America's radiant
power as a shining model of democracy has been diminished. … Seldom before has
the world anticipated four such high-profile leadership decisions in a single
year. The elections and changes of leadership in Russia, France, China and the United
States will provide information on the strength of these nations and their
systems of government."
By Stefan Kornelius
Translated By Stephanie Martin
January 2, 2012
Germany - Sueddeutsche Zeitung - Original
Article (German)
2011 was the year of
revolutions, outraged citizens and protest movements that all invoked the core
values of the West: democracy, transparency and responsibility. The year 2012
will show where these values really stand, because 2012 will be a special test
year for democracy.
Consequently, it is also a
critical year in the competition between governing systems, which has been
increasingly dominated by the duel between China and the United States. It is
about the competition between democracy and autocracy; grassroots participation
and centralized control; and between transparency and corruption.
The calendar presents is with
four, possibly five occasions during which political systems will reveal
themselves. Elections or leadership decisions in Russia, France, China and the
U.S. will provide us with information about the strength of these nations and
their systems. If the Egyptian military government delivers on its promise to
the country to allow the people to choose a president in a free election - it
will be a turning point in the process of the Arab revolution.
Perseverance in Europe Depends on Sarkozy's Reelection
While each of these decisions
is of immense importance for these nations themselves, they will also have an
impact on neighboring countries and even the world. The sustainability and
perseverance of a crisis-shaken Europe will depend on the reelection of Nicolas Sarkozy. His main
rivals, Socialist Francois
Hollande and the right-wing populist Marine Le Pen, have
announced their opposition to a euro-bailout. A President Le Pen could deal European
integration a devastating blow. This means that the French election will be
fateful for Germany as well.
Once again, the survival of
the euro will be decided here [in Germany]. And once again it is apparent how
incomplete this unification of Europeans is, where one nation can determine the
fate of the, with no voice at all given citizens of the other E.U. nations.
Political Oligarch Putin Takes Considerable Risk
In Russia, with his second
power castling move, political oligarch Vladimir Putin is taking a considerable
risk. The country is facing perhaps its most important democratic test. The prime
minister and his castrated president, Dmitri Medvedev, have erected a Potemkin
democracy, with sham parties and sham pluralism, but even this emasculated
democratic condition has provoked Putin's addiction to control.
The people are reacting angrily,
but aren't permitted to channel their anger in a democratic way. But the
tension will be released. The only question is how. Putin will decide whether
Russia adopts a Western course or whether it falls back into the autocratic
Stone Age.
China Wants to Demonstrate 'Benevolent Autocracy'
Chinese leaders, on the other
hand, will endeavor to provide evidence that changes of leadership in an
autocratic system doesn't have to be a change for the worse; and that a change
in power decreed from above can still work to the benefit of the people. But
who gives them such a right? Who legitimizes them? There are two forces
challenging the model of “benevolent autocracy.”
Posted
by WORLDMEETS.US
First there are rival
tendencies within the party. And second, there is now a critical public that expresses
itself through grassroots democracy, in townships, and Internet communities, and
people today will only accept the Party's wisdom as long as injustices don't
get out of hand and economic growth ensures contentment.
[Guardian Unlimited,
U.K.]
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Communist China has
experienced five changes in leadership, three of which transpired in a
relatively-orderly fashion. This time, a new group is pushing itself to the
fore - children of politicians. They are less technocratic, more influenced by
reformer Deng Xiaoping
then by the brutalities of the early Cultural Revolution.
This new elite must guide China through the most difficult phase of its modernization
- when growth slows and the world tests China's limits as an actor on the
foreign policy stage.
America's Radiant Power Diminished
That is why the American
presidential election in early November - very proximate in time to the meeting
of the Chinese People's Congress - holds a special fascination. U.S. democracy
is far from the democratic ideal. The radicalization of American politics
alienates many voters and encourages extremists. The Republicans and their populist
cadre are sailing dangerously close to the abyss. The majority of people in the
country no longer believe in the transformative power of politics. Cynicism
toward democracy is the greatest wound to the system. America's radiant power
as a shining model of democracy has been diminished.
Seldom before has the world anticipated
four such high-profile leadership decisions in a single year. All four are
permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and all will conduct foreign
policy with an eye toward the popular mood. All four are tempted to underline
their global importance with symbolic shows of strength, since incumbents expect
to garner recognition, and citizens are expected to be more united.
Four nations, four decisions -
and ultimately one realization: The politicians who sleep the soundest are
those who know that a majority of the people are behind them. That is what
engenders serenity and confidence. And how better to test such a majority than
with free elections?
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