Wendi’s Wanders

Consider what a vast difference exists between modern democracy and the old forms of despotism. Under an autocratic government the opinions of men are not free, and development is stifled, whereas in democracy, because thought and speech are not restricted, the greatest progress is witnessed. Bahai writings

I have not actually left the planet but I have been away from home rather a lot. My niece Courtney Gundry married Andy Primus at the end of May in Tennessee and the wedding was a real family reunion. The EBBF conference `Living Values’ in Acuto, Italy, was sold out. I’ve had tea with the Duchess of Bedford at Woburn Abbey (lovely woman, very big house!), sped up the M1 to the Multi-Faith Centre at the University of Derby, watched my grandson Dreyfus run the relay and tackle the obstacle course (came in 1st!) at te sports day at St Christopher’s school in Letchworth, served the food at the Community Foundation’s `foal parade’  and talked about UNIFEM to the Women’s Institute in Sunningdale. We have watched our vegetable garden grow - and have eaten some of the lettuce and radishes and strawberries (giving up some to the slugs). All in all a very pleasant summer so far!

But behind all this are other trends: the deepening economic situation, the near melt-down of the British parliament over members’ expenses, international threats in North Korea and Afghanistan, the apparent end of the Tamil Tigers after a horrifying two decades and the depressing problems that continue in the Middle East. The beautiful wedding I attended was in stark contrast to the wedding of two Baha’is in Iran, whose celebrations were interrupted by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence.

The elections in Iran caught my attention - I am always fascinated by elections - and I was particularly interested in this one because of the situation of the Baha’is there. It was amazing to see crowds of people in the streets, some shouting that the Baha’is in Iran should have their rights, others wanting the liberation of women, still others wanting a change from despotic rule. It seemed a change of heart might occur and the country offer its people, including the Baha’is, a wider range of human rights, although I did not hold out much hope of this. A very high proportion of people came out to vote - much higher than we have seen in recent western elections.

Yet voting alone does not create democracy. In common with other commentators on political processes, the Baha’i International Community has identified `three factors that largely determine the state of governance’: `the quality of leadership, the quality of the governed and the quality of the structures and processes in place’. They point out that `there is an emerging international consensus on the core characteristics of good governance’: `democracy, the rule of law, accountability, transparency and participation by civil society’. Further, the Baha’i International Community recognises that `Governance must be guided by universal values, including an ethic of service to the common good.’ See the whole of the BIC statement on Valuing Spirituality in Development here.

By this definition, most countries have some way to go before they will attain the state of `good governance’ and democracy. Are we making progress?

Technorati Tags: Baha’i, Bahai, Iran, elections, British MPs, British Parliament, democracy, accountability, rule of law, transparency, Middle East, Tamil Tigers, Baha’i International Community, human rights

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