'Biden’s Summit for Democracy is a hegemony in the guise of democracy'

In the wake of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and China's diplomatic offensive, the United States (US) will seek a united front against authoritarianism at the second Summit for Democracy.

Starting on Wednesday, the second edition of Summit for Democracy organized by the US will bring together world leaders virtually. As many as 120 nations, civil society organizations, and technology firms and many strategic nations will take part where rights organizations have voiced concerns about the state of democracy.

Critics of the Biden administration claim that this event demonstrates the administration's halting progress in advancing human rights and democracy as a priority of its foreign policy.

The so-called summit for democracy basically drew an ideological line between countries and created division in the world. It is a preposterous show in violation of the spirit of democracy and exposes US hegemony under the guise of democracy. The US always think only it has the right to lecture other countries on democracy. The fact is, the drama of democracy orchestrated by the US is never a boon but a bane for the world.

Ideology and interests do not always align. Democracies often have divergent interests. Both democracies and autocracies can have convergent ones. The summit, slated for 29-30 March invited four South Asian countries, including India, the Maldives, Nepal, and Pakistan. 

It is disappointing that Bangladesh was not invited to the meeting while other some other countries that are far from democratic system, have been invited. The selection process for such summit should be transparent, and countries with a history of human rights violations should not be invited. It is crucial that the meeting be a platform for democratic countries to come together and discuss important issues.

Pakistan is one of the most dangerous countries in the world having turbulent democracy, with a military-backed government that came to power through a heavily rigged election, and is notorious for rights violations. No matter how much the White House talks about democracy, it is very clear that an invitation to a so-called summit for democracy is not a stamp of approval on democracy. In this sense, we should keep in mind that, this is the "Summit for Democracy" and not a "Summit of Democracies."

Looking back at the time of our liberation war in 1971, we can see that the US had a policy of "tilt" favoring Pakistan. Their aim was to maintain regional stability, which they believed could be achieved by keeping Pakistan united. Although, this view reportedly contradicted the Nixon-Kissinger policy, which prioritized the unity of Pakistan for the benefit of US interests.

The United States has not held accountable the individuals responsible for war crimes committed by its military in countries such as Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan. Specifically, the Pentagon has not taken any measures against military personnel who were involved in a drone attack in Kabul that resulted in the deaths of 10 individuals, including seven children, from a single family. The Pentagon has justified its inaction by stating that the individuals involved did not breach any laws of war and were not negligent.

By escalating Russia-Ukraine war I think Biden administration, the US government is now walking a very narrow tightrope. A new world order is emerging, a new axis of world powers with common grievances – yes, the United states of America a country which has for decades tried to shape our world its image. The American Global Empire is crumbling, the hegemony of western nations is dying, and probably a new alliance is looking to replace it.

Russia, China, and Iran, the three nations that the US has the most sanctions against, are going to lead an alliance. Another stunning revelation for the US is that China facilitated a diplomatic rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia, two longtime adversaries. China has won the Middle East handily, and the United States loses its west Asia plot.

North Korea wants to challenge the US led world order through its nuclear missiles. Russia's invasion of Ukraine is also an attempt to counter the influence of the US. The U.S economy's strength after the Second World War is the major reason of US dominating the whole world. ‘Under Marshall Plan’ that US spent nearly $13 billion on the reconstruction of Europe.

After winning cold war America emerged as the sole superpower, and in this unipolar world, the adopted American ideals like free trade, democracy and freedom of speech. They are desperate, endeavor and a blindly desire to hold their leadership by driving themselves as like whip lashing time. US has involvement in regime change of near 31 countries. This is called dirty Democracy behind the holy face musk. Bangladesh should not get trapped in the Hippocratic double standard hegemony.

The author is a former Secretary to Cultural Affairs of Sir A F Rahman Hall Union of Dhaka University (DU) and incumbent General Secretary of ruling Awami League's student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League's Sir A F Rahman Hall unit of DU.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect The Report’s editorial stance.