It is good to hear that South Korea took 20th place in this year’s democracy index list of 165 countries and two territories complied by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The nation’s ranking is eight notches up from 28th in 2008. No doubt the EIU estimated that the Asian country has made progress in its democratic development over the last two years.
According to the EIU’s Democracy Index 2010, South Korea received 8.11 points out of 10. In the subcategories, the nation received 9.17 for both electoral process and pluralism, 8.82 for civil liberties, 7.86 for functioning of government, 7.50 for political culture and 7.22 for political participation. It is among the 26 countries classified as a ``full democracy.” In contrast, North Korea was at the bottom of the list with the lowest score of 1.08.
It is worth noting the EIU report stating that only 12.3 percent of world’s citizens are enjoying access to full democracy. South Koreans are among this top group. Fifty-three countries were rated as “flawed democracies,” accounting for 37.2 percent of the world’s population. Thirty-three countries have “hybrid regimes” and 55 have “authoritarian regimes,” with their population accounting for 14 percent and 36.5 percent, respectively, of the global population.
Also drawing attention is that the world has suffered a “democratic recession” as people living in full democracies decreased due to political malaise following the global economic crisis. It seemed that South Korea was viewed positively thanks to its robust economic recovery. Its hosting of the G20 summit has apparently improved its image as a democracy.
In fact, South Korea is the only country in the world that has achieved economic prosperity and democratic advances at the same time in modern history. It has already become a donor of overseas development aid, ending its recipient status. It has been lauded as a model for economic development. The nation has transformed itself into a functioning democracy over the last two decades, overcoming the legacy of dictatorship.
But, this is not to say that the world’s 15th-largest economy has set up a complete democratic system in every sector of society. It cannot keep abreast with advanced democracies such as Norway, Iceland and Demark that topped the EIU list. South Korea has a long way to go before becoming a real democracy. Most of all, it should create a new political culture to put an end to dog-eat-dog partisan struggles, corruption and nepotism.
The railroading of a 2011 budget bill this month by the governing Grand National Party (GNP) was a typical example of political backwardness. It is a shame that GNP lawmakers and their opposition counterparts have frequently resorted to violence in disputes over controversial bills. Parliamentary democracy is only a pipe dream without politics based on dialogue and compromise.
Political leaders, bureaucrats, businesspeople and the public should not be complacent about the past democratic achievements. Now, they should double their efforts to firmly establish democratic institutions and ensure the rule of law. They also must work together to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor, overcome regional antagonism and move toward social cohesion and national harmony.