Can Democracy Survive in Asia?

by Faseeh Abbas

Welcome to the first article of the Politics of Asia series, where we try to answer the question: ‘Is it possible for democracy to exist and flourish in Asia?’ Adorned with democracy as its best form of government, Asia is a very diverse continent. From absolute monarchies to constitutional monarchies and Authoritarian regimes, to one of the healthiest democracies. From army juntas to democratically elected dictators, Asia is a complicated yet diverse political landscape. But the central question of this article is: Can Democracy survive in Asia?

Historical Perspective

Democratic Perspectives in Asia introduce themselves from the middle of the 20th century during the era of decolonization. Many previously colonized nations tried setting up democracies as the colonies were gaining independence. For example, India became one of the largest democracies in the world after its independence in 1947. Other countries such as the South Korea, the Philippines, Pakistan and Indonesia made attempts at democracy too, but were overthrown by authoritarian rulers at some point in history.

Nonetheless, democracy in Asia has had a rough history. Ethnic and sectarian divisions along with army interventions and the overarching issue of economic instability made it increasingly difficult for the newly independent states with fragile institutional frameworks. As a consequence, some of the early democracies were overthrown by authoritarian figures or regimes, or military presidents. A few examples include:

South Korea (1961-1987): Experienced military rule before advancing towards democracy.

Taiwan (1949-1987): Was governed by martial law and former KMT rule prior to the development of one of the most widely accepted democratic states in the global sphere.

Pakistan (1958, 1977, 1999): Had a timeline riddled with military coups that impaired the fragile state of kismet democracy in the country.

The Philippines (1972-1986): Coping the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos resulting in another case of democratic rule.

Additionally, efforts to democratize China had been met with harsh repression, for example the Tiananmen Square Massacre (1989), wherein the Chinese authorities brutally overwhelmed pro-democracy protests led by students and intellectuals.

Struggles of Democracies in Asia

A few democracies have flourished, but many have struggled to sustain themselves because of the following concerning elements:

Military Interventions: Several Asian democracies, like those of Thailand, Myanmar, and Pakistan, have fallen victim to military interventions.

Authoritarian Tendencies: Even elected officials from time to time tend to reverse democratic systems in places like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Philippines.

Weak Institutions: Democracy is undermined by a lack of judicial autonomy, rampant corruption, and feeble democratic values that tend to afflict many Asian countries.

Ethnic and Religious Conflicts: Intercommunal violence and ethnic strife often endanger democratic governance in Myanmar and Sri Lanka.

Foreign Influence: The superpower rivalry and the neighboring superpower’s meddling greatly contributed to undermining democracy in South Asia and the Middle East.

In spite of all these challenges, astonishingly Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan have transitioned from authoritarian regimes to functioning democracies which serves as proof that the region is capable of self-governance.

Success Stories of Taiwan and South Korea:

The success of Taiwan and South Korea in transitioning from authoritarian regimes to flourishing democracies provides valuable lessons on democratization in Asia.

Taiwan’s Transition to Democracy

For much of its modern history, Taiwan was under martial law imposed by the Kuomintang (KMT) following their retreat from mainland China in 1949. Political dissent was suppressed, and civil liberties were limited. However, the 1980s saw increasing domestic and international pressure for political reform. Key events in Taiwan’s democratic transformation include:

Lifting of Martial Law (1987): Chiang Ching-kuo, the then-leader, initiated political liberalization, taking into consideration greater freedom of speech and association.

First Democratic Presidential Elections (1996): The direct election of the president marked a widespread milestone in Taiwan’s democratization.

Formation of a Multiparty System: The rise of opposition parties, alongside the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), ensured political opposition and transparency.

Today, Taiwan is considered one of the most successful democracies in Asia, with robust institutions, a free press, and free and fair elections.

South Korea’s Path to Democracy

South Korea’s democratic journey was marked by decades of military rule. Following the Korean War, the country was led by authoritarian regimes, most notably under Park Chung-hee (1961–1979) and Chun Doo-hwan (1979–1988). The transition to democracy was driven by mass protests and public demands for political change. Key moments include:

Gwangju Uprising (1980): A pro-democracy protest changed into violently suppressed, galvanizing opposition to army rule.

June Democratic Uprising (1987): Nationwide protests forced the government to give democratic reforms, which includes direct presidential elections.

First Democratic Elections (1988): South Korea held its first free elections, ushering in a new era of democratic governance.

Today, South Korea is a thriving democracy with a strong civil society, an independent judiciary, and one of the most engaged electorates worldwide.

Modern Perspective: The Fight for Democracy

Even today, democracy is still a war in Asia. People at a certain point in the continent actively fight for their rights blazing his or her democratic concern. Some current events include:

Protests in Iran (2022-2023): Women led and protested against the acceptance of a theocratic regime in Iran due to it and its policies clamping down on freedom and equality.

South Korea Martial Law Crisis (2024): When President Yoon attempted to declare martial law, it was met with fierce resistance from the South Koreans, and Yoon lost the battle.

The Fall of Autocratic Regimes (2024): The defeat of liberal authoritarian rulers such as Bashar al-Assad in Syria and Sheikh Hasina’s rule in Bangladesh depict constantly changing politics.

Decline in Hong Kong: One of the most affected democracies in the world, Hong Kong, has lost all its degrees of autonomy and political freedom since it was taken over by China in 1997 which was worsened after the National Security Act in 2020.

While democratic activities still persist, states like China, Russia, North Korea, and Myanmar continue to be a strong barrier to democracy in Asia.

Conclusion:

Democracy in Asia stands on shaky ground. While countries like India, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea have successful democracies, there are those that have either fallen under a dictatorship or are struggling to build a strong democracy. The fight for democracy is ongoing, and its survival depends on political will, institutional strength, public engagement and international support.

Despite setbacks, the desire for democracy stays alive amongst Asian populations. Movements advocating for human rights, freedom of speech, and democratic governance propose that democracy isn’t only a Western idea—it is a universal aspiration. Finally, the question is not whether democracy can survive in Asia, but how it will evolve and adapt to the continent’s unique challenges.