We wish to send a message of calmness and optimism. Democracy and freedom know how to resist the blow of terrorism.
This clarion call for confidence did not come from the spokesman of a mature and well-tested democratic society. It did not come from those familiar with the strengths, subtlety and resilience of democracy. It came from a group of leaders who represent countries all taking their first faltering steps into democracy. Perhaps only those just on their way towards it, can best see what it is about. For these are the opening words of the last paragraph of the Declaration on Freedom and Against Terrorism, issued on 26 October by thirty-four present and former Heads of State and Government from twenty-nine countries in Latin America, Asia, central and southern Africa, and eastern Europe, gathered together in Madrid.
In all likelihood you didnt know about it, because it was barely reported outside Spain. But that doesnt mean it wasnt important. It was a highly significant initiative in two ways.
First, this gathering for a conference on Democratic Transition and Consolidation took place in Madrid. These were the leaders of transitional countries, representing a claim upon democracy which is not part of the Washington consensus, its lazy media, and subservient think-tanks.
Second, it is also striking that this was the most numerous meeting of present and former Heads of State and Government that has ever met on an initiative taken by NGOs. Here we have a highly governmental project, not initiated in state diplomacy, but benefiting from it in particular benefiting from the support of the Spanish Government which decided to assist the Fundación para las Relaciones Internacionales y el Diálogo Exterior (FRIDE) of Spain and the Gorbachev Foundation of North America.
Like everything else, the conference was disrupted by the terrorist attacks in America. Nonetheless it was not intimidated. It took place, and succeeded in setting up a new centre for a truly global conversation. Democrats everywhere should wish this process well and try to support it in whatever way they can.
Positive globalisation if it is to exist has to advance at the political level. It cannot just be a matter of economic regulation. By coming together to share best political practice, perhaps these countries will issue a challenge which will have much wider reverberations. Might we yet see the Anglo-Saxon nations challenged to abandon their undemocratic first-past-the-post electoral systems currently driving people from voting at all?
The British Government is rushing anti-terrorism legislation through Parliament, giving it the right to intern without trial. The United States President has decreed there will be secret military tribunals to try them as suspects. This is the response of two of the strongest and best-armed societies in the world to a serious, but nonetheless limited, threat. Surely the Club of Madrid is right. In the face of retrogressive fanaticism, it is calmness and optimism which is preferable, not deeply undemocratic mechanisms, predicated on fear. Viva the Club of Madrid!
