Madam, - During the 1930s, my grandfather was friends with the late Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya, and the two would often meet to debate politics and philosophies.
According to family accounts, Kenyatta professed great admiration for the concept of democracy, while at the same time questioning vigorously why a system of government that evolved in the context, and for the specific needs, of "Western" countries should necessarily be the most appropriate model of governance for other parts of the world.
I have been reminded of this debate in the light of recent events in Kenya and, especially, Pakistan.
I had the privilege of visiting the Pakistani city of Lahore as a tourist last summer, and was overwhelmed by the friendliness and hospitality of the people. Almost everyone I encountered, from taxi-drivers, hotel and teashop staff to a group of academics from the University of the Punjab, whom I met in the queue for an ATM machine, wanted to talk about the political situation confronting the country.
While I encountered many views, the one I heard most often, and which stuck in my mind, was that Pakistan above all needed stability and security (internal and at its borders) as short-and medium-term priorities, rather than the volatility and uncertainty that the democratic process would inevitably bring.
It is perhaps inevitable that, in the wake of the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, the prevalent call - especially from Western countries - should be for open elections, and a strengthening of democratic institutions in Pakistan. But, echoing Kenyatta, simply because democracy works in Europe and North America (some might add "after a fashion"), why is there this almost axiomatic belief that it would also be best for Pakistan?
I have lived all my life in democratic societies, so it is the system of governance I am most used to. Nonetheless, I am not sure this gives me the right to impose or proselytise my system of political beliefs and government on societies elsewhere, any more than they have the right to impose theirs on mine.
Given the almost evangelical zeal with which the US and its allies press on with their mission to bring democracy to the world at large, I think these are questions that should at least be asked, and given the thoughtful, informed and critical discussion they deserve.
Your Letters page seems a good place for such a debate to begin. - Yours, etc,
DARIUS BARTLETT, Department of Geography, University College Cork.