Lesson 2: Democracy in the World Today (Contemporary Issues)
🗳️ Lesson 2: Democracy in the World Today
✊ Democracy Movements
Democracy in South Asia
India is the world’s biggest democracy! Over 900 million people can vote. People speak many languages and have different religions, but they still choose their leaders through elections.
📖 Story: In 2014, a man named Narendra Modi won the election after growing up as a tea seller. His story gave hope to many poor families that their voices matter too.
Pakistan and Bangladesh also hold elections, but their democracy has had problems with military control or corruption.
🌏 More Freedoms in Southeast Asia
Countries like Indonesia and the Philippines have moved from dictators to more democratic leaders.
📖 Story: In the Philippines, a woman named Cory Aquino became president after a peaceful protest called the People Power Revolution in 1986. Millions of people went into the streets to end a long dictatorship—without violence!
Ups and Downs for Turkey
Turkey has elections, but its democracy has faced trouble. In recent years, the president has taken more power. Some journalists and protestors were arrested.
📖 In 2016, there was even a failed military coup—some soldiers tried to take over, but the people and government stopped it. Many people worry that Turkey is no longer as free as before.
🚧 Democratic Challenges in the 21st Century
📊 Keeping Score on Democracy
Groups like Freedom House and The Economist watch democracy around the world. They ask:
Can people vote freely?
Are the courts fair?
Is the press free?
Some countries score high. Others lose points when they become less free.
🏜️ Resistance to Democracy in the Middle East
In many Middle Eastern countries, kings or strong leaders still hold power. In Saudi Arabia, people cannot vote for their leader. In Iran, there are elections, but leaders must follow Islamic law.
📖 Story: In 2011, many people in Egypt protested for democracy. It was part of the Arab Spring. For a short time, they had free elections. But soon, the military took power again. Democracy did not last long.
A Rough Road for Ukraine
Ukraine became independent in 1991 after the Soviet Union ended. It started building democracy, but corruption was a problem. In 2014, many people protested in the Maidan Revolution for freedom and closer ties with Europe.
📖 After that, Russia took over Crimea, and war began in eastern Ukraine. In 2022, Russia attacked Ukraine again. But Ukrainians have stayed strong, fighting to keep their democracy.
Democracy in Nigeria
Nigeria is Africa’s most populated country. It has had military rule, corruption, and election violence. But in recent years, peaceful elections have taken place.
📖 Story: In 2015, a man named Muhammadu Buhari became the first opposition leader in Nigeria to win an election peacefully. This gave hope for Nigeria’s democracy.
⚠️ Danger of Failed States
A failed state is a country where the government cannot help its people or keep order. There may be:
No safety
No working schools or hospitals
Armed groups in control
📖 Example: In Somalia, the government collapsed in 1991. For many years, there was no central government. Pirates attacked ships, and people had to protect themselves. Today, Somalia is trying to rebuild, but it’s a slow process.
🕯️ Final Thought
Democracy is not easy. It takes strong laws, free speech, and brave people. Around the world, people fight for the chance to vote, speak freely, and live in peace. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it’s hard. But the dream of freedom continues.