For centuries, the desire for equal opportunities, freedom of speech, protection under the law, and the power to vote, have all contributed to the popularity of a democratic government. While today, most countries are ruled democratically, there are still many countries under totalitarian regimes. Recently, the rise of democratic countries have brought forth many questions and contradictions in regards to what furthers a thriving democracy and what weakens it. While there are numerous interpretations of what makes a democracy successful, it is best described by Larry Diamond 's explanation of “thick” and “thin” in his book The Spirit of Democracy. “Thin” being a democracy based on free and fair elections, and “thick” meaning a country that
…show more content…
As a result, media suppression occurred and many civil rights and liberties were stripped from citizens. Thankfully, in the years following, Mali increased its freedom and the return to democracy began to arise as a result of new presidential elections that substantially helped reduce the powerful role that the military had on its government. Additionally, Mali is a prime example of a country that defies the explanation that wealthier countries are the only ones able to have a democratic regime. As explained by Larry Diamond, its is possible for all countries to one day have democracies because, “...a country does not have to be rich, industrialized, urban, or even heavily literate in order to acquire the attributes that develop and sustain democracy” (154). When Mali was under totalitarian rule and there was an intense feeling of fear and uncertainty, part of the reason democracy was able to flourish again was because there was a decline in military authority and also a rise in civil societies. Diamond explains that civil societies are able to have an effect on authoritarian governments and this effect ultimately helps diminish oppressive rule. Now, although freedom amongst Malians isn’t as high as it used to be before the fall of democracy in 2013, it still remains partly free and no where near as dictatorial. That said, there has been a decline in democratization recently as a result of a lack of respect for the rule of law; Diamond even emphasizes in his research that democratization usually occurs when the rule of law
As a result, media suppression occurred and many civil rights and liberties were stripped from citizens. Thankfully, in the years following, Mali increased its freedom and the return to democracy began to arise as a result of new presidential elections that substantially helped reduce the powerful role that the military had on its government. Additionally, Mali is a prime example of a country that defies the explanation that wealthier countries are the only ones able to have a democratic regime. As explained by Larry Diamond, its is possible for all countries to one day have democracies because, “...a country does not have to be rich, industrialized, urban, or even heavily literate in order to acquire the attributes that develop and sustain democracy” (154). When Mali was under totalitarian rule and there was an intense feeling of fear and uncertainty, part of the reason democracy was able to flourish again was because there was a decline in military authority and also a rise in civil societies. Diamond explains that civil societies are able to have an effect on authoritarian governments and this effect ultimately helps diminish oppressive rule. Now, although freedom amongst Malians isn’t as high as it used to be before the fall of democracy in 2013, it still remains partly free and no where near as dictatorial. That said, there has been a decline in democratization recently as a result of a lack of respect for the rule of law; Diamond even emphasizes in his research that democratization usually occurs when the rule of law