Confronting the Challenges to Democracy in the 21st Century
Second World Assembly
November 12-15, 2000
São Paulo, Brazil
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Message from the Steering Committee (html, pdf)
Democracy as a Starting Point (html, pdf)
Excerpts from the Keynote Address by
Fernando Henrique Cardoso
President of Brazil
Greetings from Around the World (html, pdf)
Democracy Courage Tributes (html, pdf)
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Keynote Address
by Fernando Henrique Cardoso, President of Brazil
Excerpts:
Democracy as a Starting Point
It is a very special pleasure for me to welcome the participants in the Second Assembly of the World Movement for Democracy. Those who are gathered here today are working for a common ideal: the ideal of a political system rooted in the imperatives of freedom and equality, in the values of pluralism and solidarity, and in dialogue as a mechanism for overcoming differences.
The country that is your host today bears in its recent political memory the marks of its struggle to regain its democracy after some 20 years of authoritarian rule. This was a process through which political freedoms and citizenship rights were restored. It was also a process through which society became organized and gained its own voice, which created the conditions of legitimacy necessary for the country to be able to meet its historic tasks in the areas of development, social justice, and the reduction of inequality.
Revitalizing Political Institutions
We are engaged in improving the performance of our democracy at the institutional level. The idea of political reform aimed at consolidating the mechanisms of representation, strengthening political parties, and eliminating distortions is high on the national agenda. This is an inherently difficult task, but we will accomplish it through dialogue, persuasion, and above all, through a search for what is best for Brazilian democracy.
It is said that the revitalization of institutions of political expression and representation constitutes one of the most serious challenges facing the contemporary world. The goal is to use the Internet and other new technologies to strengthen democratic values, transparency, and communication between the government and its citizens. With "electronic government," citizens will have access to an extraordinary amount of information and public services on-line. This will not only reduce bureaucracy, but will make it possible for society to improve its oversight of the government and the services that government provides.
Yet making all these services available would be useless if the government did not, at the same time, try to promote access to the Internet. Here in the state of São Paulo, for example, we are placing computers in public schools, along with teachers to instruct people in how to use computers and how to connect to the Web.
The Growing Consensus About Democracy
If we consider what is happening not only in Brazil, but throughout the world, we are pleased to see that today democracy has a worldwide reach that probably has not been equaled at any other moment in the history of mankind.
Today in Latin America, the principles of democracy and the rule of law widely prevail. Yet there are still problems that must be overcome, and it is imperative that we keep on improving. There can be no going back. That is why, at the South American presidents' meeting that took place in Brasilia not long ago, we adopted a "democracy clause." Its message is clear: In our region, there is no room for authoritarian adventures or for disruptions of the rule of law. The South American countries showed their readiness to act together in solidarity in order to preserve and consolidate democracy.
It is important that the promotion of democracy should be pursued without arrogance or an attempt to impose one's own will. Democracy should not be confused with the political system of any particular country. It does not have a pre-established model, a recipe to be copied by all nations. Yet democracy does have a set of values that are fundamental and which may not be negotiated away. And it is appropriate that those fundamental values should allow each people to follow, in complete freedom, their own history according to their own decisions, learning from their own mistakes, bringing to maturity and perfecting their institutions and strengthening the various forms of expression of citizenship.
It is important that there is now widespread agreement as to the need for a minimum set of guarantees and rights without which the idea of democracy loses all meaning. This includes concepts such as periodic and clean elections, without fraud and within the framework of a secure legal system; concepts such as individual rights and freedom of expression, association, and participation, as well as equality before the law and the rule of law. This entails pluralism of opinions and beliefs, as well as the protection of minorities.
At the same time, we know that democracy is not limited to this formal framework, but must continually open itself up to effective citizen participation, to the expression of social demands, and to the vibrant presence of an active civil society, mobilized and organized to oversee the government and to claim its rights at every moment.
Justice, Equality, and Democracy
It is absolutely essential to understand that democracy is not the finish line, but rather a starting point. Securing democratic freedoms does not guarantee an immediate solution to the problems that afflict the population, such as poverty, disease, and social inequalities. Democracy does not put an end to injustice, but it does establish the conditions that allow us to aspire to achieve effective justice as a value present in the everyday life of citizens. Thanks to transparency, a free press, and widespread participation, democracy gives voice and power to majorities. In a democracy, injustice will not prevail. That is why the existence of a free press is so important for democratic values.
At the same time, we cannot lose sight of the negative effect that extreme inequalities and rigid social stratification have on the performance of free institutions. Democracy is rooted in equality and, for it to be fully realized, it is essential that each citizen be able to identify the possibilities for improving his situation and that of his family.
Toward Global Citizenship
Today civil society is undergoing a great transformation, and as a result the boundary between the state and society is becoming more fluid. Just take a look at the weight of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the decision-making process, both in this country and elsewhere, and consider the development of organizations, such as the ones assembled here, that transcend national borders.
Therefore we must consider that we are living on the threshold of a new era, in which democracy is even stronger because it is imbued not only with classic values but with new values that go beyond the limits of the nation-state. Today democracy embraces global citizenship as well as general and universal values. It is important for us to know how to use the tools of democracy to guarantee that the public dimension be precisely that: res publica, something that is not subject to private appropriation. That is the reason why reform of the state is so important for the progress of our democracy.
The Brazilian Experience
This year Brazil is celebrating the 500th anniversary of its discovery. During these five centuries, we have consolidated a tradition of different races and social groups. We have learned that this diversity is an element that enriches our experience as a people and a nation. For this reason, it seems to me very fitting that Brazil is hosting this meeting of democrats from the entire world.
Inspired by the name of the entity that is assembling here - the World Movement for Democracy - I would like to conclude by saying that if the twentieth century was marked by wars and episodes of serious human rights violations, we have the opportunity to contribute to making the twenty-first century the century of democracy. Brazil will do its part.
Full text available in the January 2001 issue of the Journal of Democracy.
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