Western style democracy cannot flourish when human rights Essay Example

countries in its law enforcement's insufficient dedication to reducing corruption. Although Nigeria's FCC, equivalent to the FBI, is government-controlled and responsible for combating corruption, it is unable to adequately pinpoint those accountable for illicit acts such as money laundering and election manipulation committed by government officials. According to Schneider and Kinsley (2013), this facet of corruption violates human rights in Nigeria.

To ensure a democracy functions correctly, it is necessary for elected officials to represent the wishes of the majority. However, election outcomes frequently undergo manipulation, leading to the desires of the majority being ignored. This manipulation happens when high-ranking officials pre-determine who will be their presidential candidate and rig votes to guarantee that candidate's victory (Schneider ; Kinsley, 2013). It occurs when a political party owes the presidency to a particular individual and must secure their share of power in due course.

In 2011, Newsweek reported that election rigging leads to the misuse of public funds and payments made to hired individuals who manipulate ballot boxes with fraudulent votes. Those who oppose such practices often face violence or kidnapping, which can even result in fatalities (Knocked, 2011). The pre-selection of candidates for presidential positions further exacerbates the chances of human rights violations.

Newsweek (2011) claims that the infringement of human rights takes place when individuals are denied their basic right to take part in fair and democratic elections, allowing them to elect a government that is a true reflection of their preferences.

Although India has checks and balances, the abuse of power is prevalent. The judicial system lacks genuine independence as external parties frequently manipulate judges' verdicts. Sadly, those capable of bribing judges

can impact court decisions in India.

Despite not having a specific oversight body, the populace places their trust in the police force to combat corruption and safeguard human rights. This dependence is paradoxical, given that the police themselves are accountable for violating these rights. The authorities permit them to punish and physically assault civilians, which is an exploitation of authority (Goodhearted, 77-85). These transgressions frequently go unaddressed, as individuals are expected to report them to the police, but in situations where the police are themselves engaging in such human rights violations, people have no recourse.

The depiction of political corruption in weak legal systems highlights how it is a driving force behind human rights violations. Goodhearted (85) emphasizes that this does not imply that human rights abuses do not occur in Anesthetized countries. However, the point being made is that in western countries when human rights violations occur, individuals have the right to file complaints, demand investigations and expect accountability from one body, unlike India where this is not the case (Goodhearted, 84).

The role of corruption in violating human rights is illustrated through Nigeria and India. Western democracies emphasize the importance of minimal corruption to prevent power abuse and reduce human rights violations. However, countries where religion plays a vital part in governance may not fully support western democracy. Western nations prioritize safeguarding individual rights, allowing individuals to take responsibility for their actions and make their own decisions (Viral, 2012).

Maintaining a distinction between religion and politics is crucial in preventing any form of religious bias. This approach guarantees that no government shows preference to one faith and allows individuals to express their religious

convictions without restriction. Nevertheless, certain nations in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia do not abide by this principle.

Countries like Iran may adhere to a distinct set of ethics, principles, and customs that diverge from those of Western democracies.

There are concerns regarding the violation of basic human rights for Non-Muslims to practice their religion in Iran as only Jews and Christians are recognized by the government. The prevalence of Islam in the country adds uncertainty for other religious sects (Barbarous, 2014).

The human rights of Christians in Nigeria are being violated by the government's decision to close down churches, which deprives them of their freedom to practice their religion and assemble without restriction. Additionally, Nigeria's political system lacks separation from religious beliefs, hindering citizens' sexual freedoms. Despite considering itself a democratic nation, Nigeria permits religion to influence its governance. Both Muslims and Christians in the country consider homosexuality a sin, resulting in a negative view of such relationships (Abiding ; Abiding, 2013).

The enactment of anti-gay legislation in Nigeria, such as the Abiding ; Abiding law passed in 2013, is based on oppressive policies that violate human rights. This law allows for the imprisonment of individuals involved in same-sex relationships for up to 14 years. Such laws go against democratic principles that protect citizens' right to choose their partners and safeguard minority groups. The government's failure to protect marginalized communities, including the gay community, is evident through its passing of anti-gay laws.

The Nigerian government's passing of an anti-homosexuality law restricts the basic rights and personal expression of homosexuals, impeding democratic values in countries such as Nigeria due to the intersection between religious

beliefs and political administration (Abiding & Abiding, 2013).

Limiting these liberties is a breach of human rights, which weakens Western democracy. Therefore, there cannot be authentic Western-style democracy when human rights are being violated. Additionally, Western democracy cannot prosper when freedom of speech is being violated. The expression of freedom is understood as the right to maintain beliefs without disturbance and to solicit, get, and divide information and thoughts through any medium and regardless of borders (Monaural, 2008). This is a political entitlement that is crucial in every democracy because it offers a means for citizens to confront injustice (Monaural, 2008).

The freedom of expression entails the liberty of citizens to openly criticize the government and express their viewpoints provided that it does not pose any harm to others (Monaural, 2008).

Lebanon's democracy is deemed undemocratic because citizens are not involved in state matters, and this absence of participation prevents them from opposing government injustice. Citizen opposition is essential to hold the government accountable and prevent violations of their rights. However, Lebanon's lack of freedom of expression makes it impractical to implement a western-style democracy.

Due to the excessive power and lack of oversight of the Mexican government, journalists and media facilities that criticize those in power are physically attacked, resulting in restricted freedom of expression. This prevents journalists from effectively performing their duties and exercising their right to free speech, which ultimately endangers human rights.

The freedom to express opinions and share factual information without fear of reprisal is crucial in a democratic society. This ensures that those in power are held accountable for any illegal actions they take, such as violent attacks on

citizens who speak out or the murder or disappearance of journalists. It is unacceptable for individuals to live in secrecy because they fear retaliation from government officials.

Crimes like these go unreported because Ruinations lack the right to express themselves.

To make a decision on whether to intervene or not, the government weighs the advantages and disadvantages of taking action.

Baby (2011) asserts that Shell bears responsibility for significant oil spills that contaminate waterways and disrupt the livelihoods of nearby communities relying on them for survival. Although Shell makes attempts to remediate these polluted sites, no noteworthy disparity exists between a cleaned site and one yet to undergo cleaning. Furthermore, the substantial sums of money produced from oil revenues lead to a conflict of interest that causes the Nigerian government to hesitate in holding Shell accountable when responsible for oil spills (Baby, 2011).

As stated by Goodhearted (383), it is the right of local residents to reside in a pollution-free environment, which is deemed a violation of human rights. Furthermore, depletion of resources and environmental deterioration can lead to conflicts between groups, putting the safety of these communities at risk. The Niger Delta serves as an exemplar of this scenario where frequent oil spills have resulted in the formation of armed militias seeking to challenge the government, jeopardizing innocent civilians who often get caught in crossfire (Goodhearted, 383).

In 2011, Labia claimed that without a secure and safe environment for civilians, the advancement of western-style democracy is hindered. This is because protecting citizens' fundamental rights such as life, liberty, and security of person is imperative for democratic societies.

According to me, simply having free and

fair elections does not fully indicate a country's democratic status. Nigeria is an instance of a nation that overlooks this principle, casting uncertainty on their democratic qualifications. It is essential to acknowledge that genuine Western-style democracy cannot prosper without appropriate democratic underpinnings.

The human rights of these apparently democratic nations are constantly being undermined.

The possibility of protecting human rights in nations like Nigeria and Iran, where corruption and religious influence contribute to violations, is questioned. This raises concerns about the viability of implementing western democracy in these countries and leads us to our next topic for discussion.

In order to ensure free and fair elections in countries like Nigeria, specific policies must be developed to prevent vote rigging and guarantee equitable electoral processes. The responsibility for electoral fraud lies with the government rather than independent organizations, making it challenging to achieve fairness. To address this issue, the Nigerian government should thoroughly study democratic principles as a means of achieving these goals.

Goodhearted (31) emphasizes the significance of recognizing that neglecting the right to free and fair elections leads to additional human rights violations, which contradicts democratic values.

In India, as in other nations, the police are responsible for protecting human rights and have the power to probe any violations. Professionals propose establishing an independent body similar to the FBI in the United States or Nigeria's FCC to address human rights abuses committed by Indian law enforcement. Additionally, addressing underlying causes of these infringements may help prevent future occurrences.

To decrease instances of human rights violations, specifically in Iran and Nigeria where politics and religion intersect significantly, the resolution lies in tackling

corruption. The key to mitigating these violations may be disconnecting political decision-making from religious beliefs.

Drawing a line between politics and religion may seem like a solution, but it is unlikely to happen in countries where religious beliefs shape their foundation. In summary, a democracy based on Western principles cannot thrive if human rights are being breached as they are a vital component for the success of democracy.

Some of the countries mentioned above have only recently become democracies and may not have fully considered the requirements for democratic society, including rights such as free elections, freedom of expression, and protection against torture. Additionally, it is acknowledged that western-style democracy may not be appropriate for non-western nations, as it is a specific type of democracy that primarily suits western countries.

Other nations may find it pointless to adopt this style of democracy as it may not be appropriate for their own circumstances. Alternatively, they may have customized democracy to meet their unique requirements by only incorporating the aspect where citizens elect their leaders and overlooking other democratic facets such as freedom of choice in daily living.

The growth of western-style democracy is hindered by the existence of powerful religious beliefs in some countries, which prevent the separation of religion from government. Consequently, violations of human rights that are not considered as such within those nations but go against western principles take place and impede the establishment of a western-style democracy in those areas.