In its finest form, democracy is the best government system ever devised in human history. It gives the idea that humans have the power to shape their political destiny. At the center of this system is the notion that all voters are equal.

Democracy replaced Europe’s monarchy, which existed since the beginning of European history. In Monarchy, rulers are determined through bloodlines. In 1789, the French Revolution shook the existing European order. This revolution brought the light of democracy that would become the torch in the centuries to come.

France appeared as the torchbearer of popular democracy until it was embraced by the rest of the world. Following World War II, the United States designed the world's future as it survived the devastation of war. Then, America preached the gospel of democracy to the world. The international system was woven around democratic values.

Many Islamic countries have partly adopted democracy. Arab monarchies, like Jordan and Qatar, have democratic procedures in the Judiciary and Shura Council. Saudi Arabia has also municipal elections.

In the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Americans were almost on the verge of civil war. America was polarized by the political colors. The Blue color, representing the Democratic Party, had been ensuring the victory of Joe Biden at all costs, and the Red, representing the color of the Republican Party, was determined to get the throne by whatever means possible. In the end, the Blue Party won but the Red Party could not accept the result. According to former President Trump, the election was marred by vote-rigging and manipulation inducing his supporters to ransack Capitol Hill. This incident occurred in the United States, the champion of democracy.

Now, the democratic crisis is escalating. The influential and wealthy have an edge over others. People are supposed to be able to choose their leaders without outside interference, but this is not the case at present. Influential and confluent leaders win elections.

The recent Israeli-Palestinian war is a significant straw to democracy. Israel is defying the United Nations, which has been calling for a cease-fire since day one. Palestinians suffer the scourge of war daily. They need food, medicines, clean water, and a safe environment to live in. They are faced with human tragedy of epic proportions.

The State of Israel claims itself as the only democracy in West Asia but it violates the international democratic system. Supposedly, it implements democratic values such as the protection of cultural and political rights and the promotion of the rule of law and international humanitarian laws.

Ironically, the protectors of democracy, such as the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, France, and Germany, are at Israel’s beck and call. Given this, it is safe to say that the champions of democracy are now abandoning the values that they once spread around the world.

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The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily state or reflect the views and opinions of the management and publisher of The LOBBYiST