Happy Democracy Day! Since 2007, 15 September is International Day of Democracy.
Democracy has been around for over 2,500 years. From its origins in ancient Greece, it has become a political ideal and goal for most countries in the World. In recent years it has been the the political system of choice for many post-conflict countries. And being democratic is a requirement to join the EU. Indeed, many international organisations like the African Union and the Commonwealth also function according to democratic principles. And as the late Ethiopian Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi said “we believe that democracy, good governance and transparency…are good objectives for every country, particularly for developing countries.” 
Of course, democracy is not perfect: It can lead to short-termism and negative political point-scoring. And everywhere in the world it is still work in progress – look at the UK, where it was only in 1997 that power was devolved to Scotland and Wales. But, to paraphrase Winston Churchill, tell me a political system that is better?
Democracy is more than just a value. It is about empowering citizens to shape their own future. It gives people the space to put their hands up and say “I have an idea” or “I have a problem.” It is the greatest check on those who hold power. It ensures basic, fundamental rights are protected. It is about tolerance, justice and the peaceful pursuit of politics. In the long term, it prevents conflict. And it is about diversity: we are not all made of the same shade of grey. Humanity is filled with different opinions, tastes and cultures. Only within a democracy can individuals and societies genuinely express themselves. I would not want my children growing up in any other political system.
Some suggest the basics – good education, health care, food security – are precursors to democracy. That free speech and open elections are luxuries. But unless political development goes hand-in-hand with economic development, economic progress cannot be sustained in the long-term. Societies become more complex as they develop, demands become more vocal – and democracy allows for different views to be expressed peacefully.
Take Ethiopia. The average age in this country is just 17. Its population is scheduled to rise to 120 million in the next 20 years. It has more than 80 ethnic groups and nationalities. Thanks to the exceptional development over the last two decades, millions of Ethiopians now have education, health care and relative peace. They can think positively about the future. But over time they will inevitably want more from their government; demand more accountability; and expect a much greater say in how Ethiopia is governed. As in several other areas, Prime Minister Meles was right to see improved democratic governance as a good objective for Ethiopia – indeed, it is the only way to ensure that the potential of Ethiopia’s new generation is realised.
In 1989, I watched the transition from communism to liberal democracy in Hungary from the British Embassy in Budapest [podcast at http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=News&id=691904482]. And in my experience, if given a choice, people across the world would vote overwhelmingly for a choice in how they are governed – in other words, democracy. Just think of the queue of voters in the first free elections in South Africa in 1994. Or more recently, the wish for democratic governance which fuelled much of the Arab spring. But I am a democrat. I am happy to be told I am wrong. And I am not going to tell you what to think. So please send me your thoughts on the subject (below).