Voters Adrift: European

1
Voters Adrift European Asian Elections compared

• OR Elections and Democracy An end or a means
  Euro Asian perspectives and projections

2
Defining Democracy

• While everyone seems to agree on the popularity
  of democracy, its definition is somewhat more
  problematic.

3
Defining Democracy

• While everyone seems to agree on the popularity
  of democracy, its definition is somewhat more
  problematic.
• Minimum Criteria were acceptedThe holding of
  regular, free and fair elections with universal
  suffrage, real choice and competition with
  accepted results.

4
Defining Democracy

• While everyone seems to agree on the popularity
  of democracy, its definition is somewhat more
  problematic.
• Minimum Criteria were acceptedThe holding of
  regular, free and fair elections with universal
  suffrage, real choice and competition with
  accepted results.
• The European model of individual freedoms Vs.
  Asian communitarianism

5
Defining Democracy - Commonalties

• Acceptance of positive role of democracy
  Democracy is the worst system, except for all
  the other onesThis transcends borders, and
  regime types.

6
Defining Democracy - Commonalties

• Acceptance of positive role of democracy
  Democracy is the worst system, except for all
  the other onesThis transcends borders, and
  regime types.
• Mass participation in GovernmentOf the people,
  by the people, for the people

7
Defining Democracy - Commonalties

• Acceptance of positive role of democracy
  Democracy is the worst system, except for all
  the other onesThis transcends borders, and
  regime types.
• Mass participation in GovernmentOf the people,
  by the people, for the people
• Common ObjectivesGood Governance,
  accountability, dealing with corruption, Economic
  Growth, Social stability, Welfare distribution

8
Defining Democracy - Differences

• Individual Liberty vs. CommunitarianismLiberal
  Western definition may be culturally unacceptable
  in other forums

9
Defining Democracy - Differences

• Individual Liberty vs. Communitarianism Liberal
  Western definition may be culturally unacceptable
  in other forums
• Extent of Personal Freedoms

10
Defining Democracy - Differences

• Individual Liberty vs. Communitarianism Liberal
  Western definition may be culturally unacceptable
  in other forums
• Extent of Personal Freedoms All sides agree on
  limitations of personal freedoms, but where the
  line is drawn differs from country to country

11
Defining Democracy - Differences

• Individual Liberty vs. Communitarianism Liberal
  Western definition may be culturally unacceptable
  in other forums
• Extent of Personal Freedoms All sides agree on
  limitations of personal freedoms, but where the
  line is drawn differs from country to country
• Democracy as a Means or an EndDiffering
  hierarchy of needs places different emphasis on
  issues of stability, personal freedom, economic
  growth and political dissent

12
Democratic Challenge - Voter Turnout

• Differing Trends in different Regions

13
Democratic Challenge - Voter Turnout

• Differing Trends in different Regions
• Developing Democracies are embracing
  electionsIndonesia Philippines are models
  for developing democracy

14
Democratic Challenge - Voter Turnout

• Differing Trends in different Regions
• Developing Democracies are embracing
  electionsIndonesia Philippines are models
  for developing democracy
• Established Democracies lower turnout
  Similarity of political parties, disengaged
  electorate, community breakdown, ineffectiveness
  of voting

15
Democratic Challenge - Voter Turnout

• Differing Trends in different Regions
• Developing Democracies are embracing
  electionsIndonesia Philippines are models
  for developing democracy
• Established Democracies lower turnout
  Similarity of political parties, disengaged
  electorate, community breakdown, ineffectiveness
  of voting
• Is lower turnout a problem if you are free to
  vote?Questionable legitimacy of results,
  provision of fertile ground for newer radical
  groups, potential for societal breakdown

16
Democratic Challenge - Voter Turnout

• If so, What solutions are available?

17
Democratic Challenge - Voter Turnout

• If so, What solutions are available?Education,
  incentives, penalties, compulsory voting,
  increased engagement LOTTO!

18
Democratic Challenge - Other Political
Participation

• Non Party Popular MovementsThe rise of the green
  movement, single issue campaigns

19
Democratic Challenge - Other Political
Participation

• Non Party Popular MovementsThe rise of the green
  movement, single issue campaigns
• Protest Movements

20
Democratic Challenge - Other Political
Participation

• Non Party Popular MovementsThe rise of the green
  movement, single issue campaigns
• Protest Movements
• Lobbying

21
Democratic Challenge - Other Political
Participation

• Non Party Popular MovementsThe rise of the green
  movement, single issue campaigns
• Protest Movements
• Lobbying
• Violence

22
Democratic Challenge - Other Political
Participation

• Non Party Popular MovementsThe rise of the green
  movement, single issue campaigns
• Protest Movements
• Lobbying
• Violence
• Direct Democracy

23
Democratic Challenge - Other Political
Participation

• Non Party Popular MovementsThe rise of the green
  movement, single issue campaigns
• Protest Movements
• Lobbying
• Violence
• Direct Democracy
• Consultation Processes

24
Democratic Challenge - Other Political
Participation

• Non Party Popular MovementsThe rise of the green
  movement, single issue campaigns
• Protest Movements
• Lobbying
• Violence
• Direct Democracy
• Consultation Processes
• Co-Opting

25
Democratic Challenge - Other Political
Participation

• Non Party Popular MovementsThe rise of the green
  movement, single issue campaigns
• Protest Movements
• Lobbying
• Violence
• Direct Democracy
• Consultation Processes
• Co-Opting
• Non-Participation

26
Evaluating Democracy - Other Forms of Legitimacy

• Social Stability

27
Evaluating Democracy - Other Forms of Legitimacy

• Social Stability
• Economic Growth

28
Evaluating Democracy - Other Forms of Legitimacy

• Social Stability
• Economic Growth
• Good Governance

29
Evaluating Democracy - Other Forms of Legitimacy

• Social Stability
• Economic Growth
• Good Governance
• International Acceptance

30
Evaluating Democracy - Other Forms of Legitimacy

• Social Stability
• Economic Growth
• Good Governance
• International Acceptance
• Dealing with corruption

31
Evaluating Democracy - Other Forms of Legitimacy

• Social Stability
• Economic Growth
• Good Governance
• International Acceptance
• Dealing with corruption
• Promoting Equality

32
Evaluating Democracy - Other Forms of Legitimacy

• Social Stability
• Economic Growth
• Good Governance
• International Acceptance
• Dealing with corruption
• Promoting Equality
• Social Contract

33
Evaluating Democracy - Other Forms of Legitimacy

• Social Stability
• Economic Growth
• Good Governance
• International Acceptance
• Dealing with corruption
• Promoting Equality
• Social Contract
• Democratic Reform

34
Evaluating Democracy - Other Forms of Legitimacy

• Social Stability
• Economic Growth
• Good Governance
• International Acceptance
• Dealing with corruption
• Promoting Equality
• Social Contract
• Democratic Reform

• Can Good Governance compensate for Democratic
  Deficit?

35
Shifting Paradigms

• Acceptance of Difference

36
Shifting Paradigms

• Acceptance of Difference New vs. Old (No longer
  Asia vs. Europe)

37
Shifting Paradigms

• Acceptance of Difference New vs. Old (No longer
  Asia vs. Europe) Group vs. Individual

38
Shifting Paradigms

• Acceptance of Difference New vs. Old (No longer
  Asia vs. Europe) Group vs. IndividualMeans vs.
  End

39
Shifting Paradigms

• Acceptance of Difference New vs. Old (No longer
  Asia vs. Europe) Group vs. IndividualMeans vs.
  End
• Social Legitimacy vs. Democratic Legitimacy

40
Shifting Paradigms

• Acceptance of DifferenceNew vs. Old (No longer
  Asia vs. Europe)Group vs. IndividualMeans vs.
  End
• Social Legitimacy vs. Democratic Legitimacy
• Difficulties of IMPOSING Democracy

41
Shifting Paradigms

• Acceptance of DifferenceNew vs. OldGroup vs.
  IndividualMeans vs. End
• Social Legitimacy vs. Democratic Legitimacy
• Difficulties of IMPOSING Democracy
• Are Elections the PRIMARY requirement?

42
Shifting Paradigms

• Acceptance of DifferenceNew vs. OldGroup vs.
  IndividualMeans vs. End
• Social Legitimacy vs. Democratic Legitimacy
• Difficulties of IMPOSING Democracy
• Are Elections the PRIMARY requirement? Social
  Cohesion, Civil Institutions, Education

43
Conclusions

• Need to Market and Repackage for each society

44
Conclusions

• Need to Market and Repackage for each
  societyIslam HadhariAfrican Tribal
  ModelsEuropean Liberal democracies

45
Conclusions

• Need to Market and Repackage for each
  societyIslam HadhariAfrican Tribal
  ModelsEuropean Liberal democracies
• More Dialogue

46
Conclusions

• Need to Market and Repackage for each
  societyIslam HadhariAfrican Tribal
  ModelsEuropean Liberal democracies
• More DialogueContinue to support ASEM
  ForumOnline ForumCreation of AEYLS Alumni
  NetworkCreation of Professional Bodies Network

47
Conclusions

• Need to Market and Repackage for each
  societyIslam HadhariAfrican Tribal
  ModelsEuropean Liberal democracies
• More DialogueContinue to support ASEM
  ForumOnline ForumCreation of AEYLS Alumni
  NetworkCreation of Professional Bodies Network
• Initiatives for Voter Turnout

48
Conclusions

• Need to Market and Repackage for each
  societyIslam HadhariAfrican Tribal
  ModelsEuropean Liberal democracies
• More DialogueContinue to support ASEM
  ForumOnline ForumCreation of AEYLS Alumni
  NetworkCreation of Professional Bodies Network
• Initiatives for Voter TurnoutPromotion of Civil
  Education

49
Conclusions

• Need to Market and Repackage for each
  societyIslam HadhariAfrican Tribal
  ModelsEuropean Liberal democracies
• More DialogueContinue to support ASEM
  ForumOnline ForumCreation of AEYLS Alumni
  NetworkCreation of Professional Bodies Network
• Initiatives for Voter TurnoutPromotion of Civil
  EducationWe Recommend a move towards COMPULSORY
  VOTING!

50
Working Group 5

• Dr. Yeo Lay Hwee(Singapore)
• John McMahon(Ireland)
• Ian Mak(Singapore)
• Laurence Sullivan(Scotland)
• Jae Su Yun(South Korea)
• Donal Kenneally(Ireland)
• Yasuhiro Nimura(Japan)

• Marco Bünte(Germany)
• Dr. Noreha Hj Hashim(Malaysia)
• Dr. John Ryan(United Kingdom)
• Dr Kun Shai(China)
• Chunhua Luo(China)
• Maarten van Heugten(Netherlands)
• Pham Vinh Quang(Vietnam)