Is Democracy the Best Governing Model for Developing Countries in Asia?

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Recommended: Tocqueville in america democracy reflection paper

According to Alexis De Tocqueville (1843), democracy allows for equal rights and liberty within a country, through several means: compulsory primary education, freedom of speech through townships, and the establishment of a jury. Referring specifically to America, Tocqueville notes that nations that are accustomed to free institutions and municipal government are better able to found prosperous colonies. The habit of thinking and governing for oneself is indispensable in a new country (Tocqueville, 1843, p. 62). It can thus, be seen that Tocqueville is very optimistic for the future of America under democracy. In this essay, I will examine if the same governing model can be applied to developing countries in Asia as it’s important to understand if this model will be able to lead certain Asian countries out of their developmental stalemate. This is especially important for countries which have recently gained their independence from colonial rule, as the change in political system will be very important for their future development and progress.

South Korea is a relatively new country, having gained its independence from Japanese rule in 1945. Under the rule of a democratic government, South Korea has risen up to become one of the most lucrative economies in Southeast Asia. According to The World Factbook by the Central Intelligence Agency (Central Intelligence Agency (US), 2014), South Korea is ranked #13 international in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), and is currently the world’s 12th largest economy. However true democracy did not come until South Korea’s economical and political situation has stabilized. Instead, South Korea had started off as an authoritarian regime after independence, following t...

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...on now to democracy as countries may need the time to adjust into a new political system.

Works Cited

Acemoglu, D., & Robinson, J. A. (2013). Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity and Poverty. Great Britain: CPI Group (UK).

Central Intelligence Agency (US). (2014). Retrieved from CIA: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ks.html

Myrdal, G. (1968). Asian Drama - An Inquiry into the Poverty of Nations. New York: Pantheon.

Tocqueville, A. D. (1843). Democracy in America. New York: J & H.G. LANGEY.

Bardhan, P. (2009). India and China: Governance Issues and Development. The Journal of Asian Studies, 68(2), 347–357.

Prybyla, J. S. (1974). Impressions of Communist China’s Economy. Asian Affairs, 1(5), 283–296.

Sharma, C. L. (2006). STATE OF DEMOCRACY IN INDIA. The Indian Journal of Political Science, 67(1), 9–20.

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