The Rise of Non-Liberal Democracy

The author believes that Western democracy in the last century has corresponded with liberal democracy. Therefore, its political system has been based on free elections. Looking at the concepts of democracy, freedom, and sovereignty he argues that the rule of law and the separation of power have not always been accompanied by democratic traditions and legitimate freedoms. In his view, the movement toward liberal democracy in different parts of the world has been encouraged by the attention paid to the relative values of democracy and liberalism. An end result of this process of liberalization has been increased political participation in some instances. Moreover, it is asserted that liberal democracy leads to the growth of capitalism within the framework of the constitutions and the formation of free market economy. However, every democracy cannot be a liberal democracy. Ethnic conflicts at the end of the 20th century (e.g., in Yugoslavia) have had a negative impact on democratic forces. In sum, the author argues that liberalism might facilitate the emergence of democracy, but it has been permanently and constantly associated with a democratic tradition.