The US hosted its Summit for Democracy this week. While there is no such thing as a perfect democratic system, Western countries often boast about having the best form of “democracy”.

The late UK prime minister Winston Churchill once said, democracy is the worst form of governance which is only slightly better than all those other forms that have been tried from time to time. Fast-forwarding to 2021, why is everyone still raving about democracy in the West?

Is it because they have election campaigns flushed with billions of dollars? Or because people voted for a populist president, Donald Trump, who subsequently sparked a spontaneous riot at the Congress? How can we forget that democracy led to the United States’ highest number of COVID-19 infections and deaths globally, widespread Brexit regrets in the United Kingdom, and never-ending yellow vest protests in France?

I believe no rational man is convinced that these are outcomes of a democratic system that is “good” enough.

Back to basics, the essence of democracy is about respecting diversity. It is not a cookie-cutter. We should appreciate that democracy can thrive in different countries in its many shapes and forms. Foreign Minister Wang Yi has vividly said that democracy is not Coca-Cola, which promises the same taste for all in the world. 

The Chinese mainland is well known for putting the concept of “whole process democracy” into real practice. Our country has successfully converted the vision and values of democracy into a scientific, institutionalized system. ... We should not limit the world’s imagination of democracy. We should not be trapped in narcissism and reject disagreements blindly. Seeking common ground while respecting differences is the right way to go

To me, democracy should be colorful flowers that bloom at different seasons. States and countries should be free to choose a form of democracy that best suits their needs. This does not stop us from continuing to learn from each other and contributing new ideas to the global progress on democracy. 

The parliamentary system in the UK and the presidential system in the US are vastly different expressions of democracy. Yet mutual respect can be found, and the two countries have formed their own “inner circle of democracy”. This sends a message that only systems that are recognized by the US are considered “democratic”. 

But the world we live in is heterogeneous. We do not revolve around one country. If one deliberately chooses to disregard the myriad political systems around the world, it implies he or she is stuck in a paternalistic and monopolistic mindset, deviating from the virtue of democracy.

“History is a great teacher.” Many countries were deluded into replicating Western-style democracy with a meek hope of resolving domestic problems. Little did they know that this often leads to far more serious implications, from civil wars to secession, from miserable livelihoods to death. The US has been force-feeding its ideology to Afghanistan, Arab countries and Latin American countries. The disastrous consequences are borne only by these people.

Democracy is neither ornamental, nor decorative. Democracy is a tool to solve people’s real problems. Unlike buying a lottery ticket, we cannot be complacent after having elected a winner in the election. Democracy is a longer process. “One man, one vote” is only part of democracy. It is definitely not an end, nor is it the whole picture. 

When exercising democracy, we have to also include democratic consultation, democratic decision-making, democratic management and democratic supervision. Ultimately, the process ensures that people’s interest is at the center and people’s problems are solved pragmatically.

The Chinese mainland is well known for putting the concept of “whole process democracy” into real practice. Our country has successfully converted the vision and values of democracy into a scientific, institutionalized system. 

The National People’s Congress and the local people’s congresses at various levels are constituted through democratic elections. The Communist Party of China leads the administration in cooperation with other political parties, indicating democratic consultation. Our country insists on inviting people to fully participate in democratic management and democratic supervision, enabling mass public participation.

We should not limit the world’s imagination of democracy. We should not be trapped in narcissism and reject disagreements blindly. Seeking common ground while respecting differences is the right way to go. Long live democracy.

The author is a board member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies and a board member of the United Nations Association of China. He is vying for a LegCo seat through the Election Committee Constituency.

Please click here to see the list of 2021 LegCo election candidates.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.