Dictatorship’s Global Expansion
in the report of Freedom House The latest year (Freedom in the World 2022) that just came out last week. There are many interesting stories that still point to the decline of democracy in the world. and the continuing decline of democracy in Thailand.
As for democracy in Thailand, there are probably a lot of people talking regarding it. So I would like to bring the main report section called The Global Expansion of Authoritarian Rule Let’s summarize some
But before writing this I would like to clarify that this work certainly has no meaning to some people in Thai society. Because in the democratic measure in this report, he prioritizes liberal democracy. without focusing on having a good government Or a government that is stable in terms of having people who are obedient and don’t stand up to challenge/check the government.
and most importantly, he emphasizes on not infringing on liberty Political and Civil Rights of People
Importantly, those who value this series of values will see a regression trend for the 16th consecutive year of democracy and freedom on a global scale. There are 60 states in the world without freedom, only 25 are better and overall. As many as 38 percent of the world’s population lives in countries without freedom. And only 20 percent are in countries with freedom. (There is also a middle state called partial freedom.)
This year, several issues have been raised in the report to focus on the situation of the democratic recession. and the expansion of dictatorship
1. The approach of authoritarian dictatorship is promoted and spread throughout the world. This matter in the report is a top priority. Which I interpreted that in the past, when we talk regarding dictatorship, we may only understand that it is a phenomenon in a country. Or is it a matter of expanding influence and spreading power in their own satellite countries? or even to occupy other countries
What is happening now is “Expand the influence” of a totalitarian country Until other countries, he was considerate, both politically and economically. This has been going on for decades. part of which can be done because “New World Order” that we used to believe that there is no more The polarity seems to be unclear. Including the old world police seems to have faded.
Expanding China’s Role in Economic Assistance or transnational investment It seems to be one of the prime examples that has been discussed for a long time. Which partly leads to the fear of many Western countries that do not have a policy or participate in any movement to offend China, such as the case of condemning China’s actions in the matter of the Xinjiang massacre
2. Abandoning the Essential Principles of Election which is happening more and more by the government as a democratic government and authoritarian, for example, ignoring advice on electoral reform in Nicaragua. Blocking international organizations from observing elections (or make it more difficult for him to observe) in many countries and the seizure of power from the civilian government in Sudan.
It also includes the matter of dealing with the opposition that makes it impossible to compete with the government. This made the elections competitive and fair.
3. The internal decline of democracy Because the leaders themselves who come from democracy do not want to lose their power. The most embarrassing example of this round was the attempt by former President Trump to not step down. It also incites a number of people to cause chaos in the nation’s capital during the transition of power. by refusing to accept the electoral rules and accusing the election of impure
Another example is in India where opposition arrests have increased. After the second election of Prime Minister Modi and gaining more influence in the Prime Minister’s court
for in Europe The contagious disease of trying to manage and discourage immigration that began in Poland has spread to many other countries. causing the depriving of the rights of people who try to be part of the political and social community of that country lined up to Morocco and Turkey.
4. Formation of an anti-democratic alliance At present, dictatorships around the world are collaborating without being dominated by a single country. But come together as a gang like Cooperation between China, Russia and Turkey Cooperation will come in the form of investment and other economic aid.
While there is evidence that Russia itself is providing assistance to the Belarusian leader. During the election period filled with suspicion. With Russia coming in to ensure that elections are fair and fair.
In another case, China has helped keep Burma from condemnation at a UN Security Council meeting. and the case of Hungary’s Oban defending the oppressive Bosnia and Herzegovina leaders of their own people. and will be managed by EU members
5. Failure to Transform Democracy in the case of Afghanistan When there was a government transition in the United States that influenced the transition in Afghanistan. This allowed the Taliban to return to power in Afghanistan once more. and there have been more attempts to emigrate from the country
6. There is still hope for resisting dictatorship in the current global influence of dictatorship. In many countries that effort has been fruitful, such as in the case of Ecuador, where leaders elected by the former leader maintain the same system of power. It turned out that the new leadership expanded the rights and freedoms of the people until the country’s ranking moved from a semi-liberated country to a free country.
Although in many countries the decline of democracy But the people in that country Still fighting with the dictatorship strongly including Tunisia, Cuba, Sudan, Burma, Belarus and Hong Kong.
For me, leaders who come from quasi-dictatorships can choose to go into democracy. And although hopes in many countries are murky but to maintain the spirit of anti-authoritarianism Against those dictatorships is also a sign that those countries still have hope to be able to stand up for the people in the country to know that. A refusal to that power is possible. Although it has to be exchanged with many stories and thus the dictatorship cannot completely seize power in the country and be completely accepted by the world.
The final observation in this piece from my point of view is Although this report’s analysis of democracy under the liberal framework is sharp, But I think in terms of presenting the possibility of fighting dictatorship at the national level. And internationally, amid the 16-year expanding influence of dictatorship and the continued decline of democracy, there is still no clear and persuasiveness.
Regardless, the emphasis is on calling for democratic countries to try to have a foreign policy once morest the expansion of a totalitarian world. in the national strategy and in democratic reforms in democratic countries and calling on the people of the country and the government to jointly promote democracy both in the country and around the world. The focus turned out to be that the democratic government itself had to solve its own mistakes. and promote aid to other countries Despite having to face the matter of being able to conflict with the (national) interests of the democratic country in the short term If you want to focus on rights, liberties and human rights
These issues put democratic countries themselves in greater difficulty than dictatorships that spread their influence around the world. Even the democratic countries have to be somewhat considerate of them in many cases where economic cooperation with authoritarian countries is strong.
I don’t want to write to look sad or hopeless, but I need to understand the challenges of democracy. both internally and externally
For Thailand, frankly speaking, this year’s assessment is 29 out of 100, another drop from last year. Even though the election Let’s just say that foreigners do not let go through our country easily. And each item that was evaluated was heavy, not playful. Some stories are difficult to write. But I think that people will keep talking regarding each other.
We can only hope that our country’s leaders will take a long-term perspective. Because now he’s just turning more and more under the wing of a dictator. Both China and Russia, according to this report, he defined. It may be able to keep him in power. But the sustainability and progress of the country will not have.
As for resisting what is now, even though the price paid is so high. But it still nurtured some hope of reaching democracy. At least in terms of not accepting everything the dictators were trying to imagine.
