The philosopher Plato first described it as “a rule by the governed.” Our founding fathers took their infinite wisdom and laid the groundwork for what has now been the blueprint for nations across the world. In recent years many countries have adopted the democratic process, more than any other time in history.
Yet, as recent events show, democracy has been taking a beating.

Assassination of Benazir Bhutto

Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto was assassinated while leaving a rally to gain support for her attempt at re-election on Dec 27 2007.
The Interior Ministry of Pakastan stated that they had proof that al-Qaeda was in fact behind Bhutto’s death. High ranking members of the organization said that al-Qaeda had nothing to do with the assassination and that the allegations of their involvement was a planted story, the Associated Press reported.
Benazir Bhutto’s death sent shockwaves worldwide. Many countries chimed in on the important role she played to the people of Pakistan.
In Pakistan, after the news of her death was announced, her supporters’ grief and anguish turned into rage. Riots broke out all over the country.
America lost a vital ally in the war on terrorism and in the quest for a democratic Pakistan.
“The Bush Administration placed a lot of hope on Benazir Bhutto because they want a democratic Pakistan,” said Johal. “They where looking favorably on her return to politics in Pakistan.
“Pakistan is a key country for the United States because the so-called ‘War on Terrorism’ with neighboring countries and also because Pakistan has nuclear weapons. It’s a country that is very important to America’s security because the hope is that we have a country that is democratic there.”
Mr. Johal also spoke about how Bhutto’s assination will affect the upcoming election. Terrorism has already become one of the hot button issues in America and on the world stage.
“I don’t see there being a whole lot of difference in foreign politics as it relates to Pakistan. There will be different emphasis, with more emphasis on democracy. Terrorism will be important but it won’t be as stressed as much seeing as how some Democratic candidates want to pull out of Iraq. Regardless of that fact, I believe Pakistan will still be an important country for the United States,” Johal said.

Violence Erupts in Kenya

Pakistan is not the only place where the principles of Democracy are being put to the fire.
Civil unrest exploded in Kenya after the country’s presidential elections took place. Incumbent Mwai Kibaki won the widely disputed race. Supporters of Kibaki’s opponent, Raila Odinga, showed their disapproval by rioting in several parts of the country. Reports of voter rigging, manipulations of admissions, incorrect figures, and the effects of tribalism are believed to be the main reasons for the chaos with tribalism being the focal point.

Kibaki belongs to the Kikuyu Tribe, Kenya’s most dominant and economically active ethnic group. His opponent Raila Odinga is of the Lou Tribe, the third largest ethnic group in Kenya and the direct challengers to the Kikuyu domination of politics.
The age-old struggle between these tribes and the ruling Kikuyus is what pushed Kenya to its breaking point. The political climate in Kenya is a volatile one more so now than ever.
The New York Times reports as many as 650 dead due to recent conflicts.

Democracy at its best
With all the worlds woes being thrown into are homes and onto are computer screens its hard to notice when Democracy actually does what its original creators dreamt that it would do.
On August 15, 2007 Hugo Chavez called for presidential term limits to come to an end, extending his rule indefinitely. He was overwhelmingly backed by The National Assembly of Venezuela and was confident going in the December 2 referendum, a direct vote in which an entire group of people are entitled to vote in an election is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal, vote.
On December 2, 2007, 51 percent of the voters rejected the 69 amendments proposed by Chavez. After the referendum results were made public Chavez stated that he would step down at the end of his second term in 2013.
Its moments like these that prove that while Democracy is by no means an easy goal, it is a goal that is worth fighting for. Whether it be a Boston Tea Party, a French Revolution, or simply flexing of our political right to say “no” Democracy is the essential tool for the world to gain its liberty whether it is for Venezuela, Kenya, Pakistan, and yes even America.