Democracy In The Contemporary World

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Is it possible to have democracy at the global level? Not at present. The UN, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank are global associations of the world. They attempt to maintain peace and security among the countries of the world.

They give loans and money to governments. They are not fully democratic. Five countries US, UK, France, China and Russia have the veto power in the Security Council. The World Bank has a US President always and theInternational Monetary Fund is in the hands of seven powerful nations.

Many powerful countries like the United States of America believe that democracy should be promoted in the world — even by force.Powerful countries have launched attacks on non-democratic countries.Iraq is the biggest example. USA and its allies attacked and occupied Iraq without UN sanction, on the pretext of Iraq possessing nuclear weapons. They have even held forced elections.The urge for democracy should come from the people and should not be imposed.

Veto-The right of person, party or nation to stop a certain decision or law.

Colony-Territory under the immediate political control of another state.

Solidarity –Oneness of interests, aims, etc.

1. Democracy at the global level is practised through the international institutions established with the consent of various countries.
2. The United Nations Organisation (UNO) was established after the end of the Second World War in 1945 with the objective of promoting international peace and solidarity.
3. The present membership of the UNO stands at 193. Each country has got equal representation in the UNO and decisions are taken by majority votes, thus promoting democratic ideals.
4. UN General Assembly acts as the legislative body of the UNO and comprises of all 192 member nations.
5. UN Security Council is the executive of the UNO and is responsible for maintaining international peace and security. It consists of fifteen member nations. However, only five are permanent members of the Security Council.
6. These five nations namely the U.S., the U.K., France, China and Russia have the veto power of annulling any decision taken collectively by all other members.
7. The finances of the UNO are taken care of by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It has 185 nations as its members.
8. UNO represents a democratic system. However, there are certain loopholes that defy the democratic ideals. The rich and the powerful countries have an unfair advantage with respect to the functioning of the UNO.