Page 178 - Demo

Islam, Democracy and Human Rights in Contemporary Indonesia1611990, democratic regimes in countries with per capita incomesof around USD 1,500 (PPP, 2001) had an average lifespan ofonly eight years. When per capita income ranged between USD1,500%u20133,000, democracy could survive on average 18 years. Atabove USD 6,000 per capita, democracy was far more resilient,with a failure probability of just 1 in 500.Where does Indonesia stand? Boediono showed thatIndonesia%u2019s per capita income was around USD 4,000 (in 2006),while the critical threshold for democratic stability stood atapproximately USD 6,600. In other words, we have not yetreached even two-thirds of the safe threshold for democracy.Other studies reveal that since the end of World War II,more than 100 countries have undergone profound politicaltransitions and economic transformations. In the past two tothree decades, the world has generally moved toward greaterdemocratization. Out of 191 sovereign states, 117 have adopteddemocratic political systems.In some cases%u2014such as India, Brazil, and Mauritius%u2014economic development has improved in tandem with more stabledemocratic governance, though they still face political shocksand uncertainty. Conversely, in Tunisia and Libya, economicand social conditions have worsened compared to the predemocratic era, as these societies still carry historical and culturallegacies incompatible with democratic parameters.Tragically, Iraq, which was forced into democracy by Westernpowers%u2014particularly following the U.S.-led invasion%u2014continuesto suffer from conflict, poverty, and instability, regressing toconditions reminiscent of decades before it %u201cknew%u201d democracy.Furthermore, some countries have achieved peace,prosperity, and rapid development without democracy, without