The Silent Erosion of Democratic Optimism in the 21st Century

This year was set to witness an unprecedented number of elections across the globe, affecting half the world’s population. Yet, there wasn’t the usual fanfare or glorification of democracy one might have expected. Western governments, which had long extolled the virtues of democracy, were no longer brimming with self-confidence.

One might excuse the lack of enthusiasm due to at least one of these elections not taking place in the ‘free world’, notably the Russian Presidential election. However, considering that the world’s oldest democracy (the UK), the world’s largest democracy (India), the world’s only superpower (the US), and one of the largest blocs in the world (the EU) are all participating in democratic elections, why the absence of the usual excitement? In fact, there has been a sense of trepidation.

This isn’t an anomaly for this year but reflects a broader trend that can likely be traced back to the 2008 global financial crash. Western economies generally have not fully recovered, and more significantly, the average person feels that governments no longer work for them. The long-standing belief that each generation would have better prospects than the last has reversed. The prevailing view now is that future generations will face more difficulties and fewer opportunities.

This subtle yet significant shift in mindset has become a crisis for democracy. Democracy, intertwined with capitalism and its largest component, the free market, had proclaimed itself as the greatest system the world had ever seen, bringing unprecedented prosperity. However, it is not delivering for its people. Whether it is the ability to own a home, the declining purchasing power of money, access to public services like healthcare, or the deteriorating infrastructure, people feel the system is failing them.

Against this backdrop, we see serious contortions in Western societies, such as the political polarisation in the US between Trump and others, the apathy and lack of hope in the Labour alternative to the Conservatives in the UK, the potential resurgence of the far-right in EU elections, and in India, despite winning, Narendra Modi’s humbling following a vitriolic campaign against minorities that did not deliver the landslide he expected.

Further compounding matters is the situation in Israel. Its genocidal campaign against the Palestinian people has escalated, particularly in Gaza, actions that have been tacitly supported by Western governments. This level of brutality has not gone unnoticed among the domestic populace in these societies.

The standard bearers of democracy have often responded to criticisms by accusing detractors of supporting dictatorship or autocracy as the only alternative, presenting a binary choice and leaving the masses with nowhere to channel their activism. Those who have resorted to direct action have been roundly decried by the established media and even legislated against.

In this atmosphere of disillusionment, Muslims can see an opportunity to offer a fundamental paradigm shift. The Islamic governance model, rooted in principles of justice, welfare, and moral responsibility, provides a comprehensive framework that addresses many of the shortcomings observed in contemporary democratic systems. At its core, this model is not just about maintaining order or achieving economic success, but about ensuring the well-being of every individual in society. This emphasis on holistic care, justice, and communal welfare aligns closely with the needs and aspirations of people worldwide, who are yearning for systems that genuinely look after their interests.

Muslims have the potential to present an alternative vision that transcends the democratic versus autocratic dichotomy. This vision is not merely a critique or a spoiler in the democratic salvage operation but represents a completely different approach to governance. It is a system that places human dignity, justice, and compassion at its centre, challenging the materialistic and often impersonal nature of modern democracies. This model of governance, known as the caliphate, emphasises accountability, transparency, and moral integrity, providing a robust framework for addressing the complex challenges of the modern world while ensuring that the fundamental rights and needs of all individuals are met. By offering the caliphate as an alternative, Muslims can inspire a shift towards a more humane and equitable world order.