DEMOCRATIC expansion is being threatened by rising authoritarianism throughout the world, warned former Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Yuddhoyono said there is no explanation to the phenomenon except that there were clear attempts to revert to authoritarianism globally.

While delivering his keynote address at the regional conference on Democracy in Southeast Asia, organised by Suhakam and the Kofi Annan Foundation, the former president said this could reverse the gains democracy made in recent decades.

“There are growing doubts about the necessity and merit of democracy. If this trend gains momentum, it is possible that we will see the reversal of democratic expansion that we have seen in recent decades,” he said.

He said these are challenging times as a lot of democracies are in distress and even serious disarray. Countries that have transitioned to democratic systems – the so-called Arab Spring countries – are struggling to attain stability, unity and growth.

Yuddhoyono said established democracies, on the other hand, were facing economic gloom and low confidence in leadership are common.

“In some democracies, restlessness has replaced national self-esteem. Parochial sentiments are growing as reflected in growing xenophobia and Islamophobia. It is not a pleasant and promising picture for democracy and its believers,” said Yudhoyono.

He also pointed out populism as another factor to watch for as it is a double-edged sword.

“It can serve good purpose, or advance bad intention. It can charm as much as it harm,” said the leader who is also popularly known as SBY during his tenure as president from 2004 to 2014.

According to him, while positive populism is a good thing such as a leader going the extra mile to deliver public services to please his constituents, one must be cautioned against the opposite.

“A populist leader may also appeal to the dark side of power by committing short-sighted acts that would excite the people but harm democracy and human rights.

“The trouble is many politicians are learning that shallow populism can be a short cut to public office. And leaders who say and stand for the right thing are in danger of losing office,” said Yudhoyono, adding that the state also needed to strike a balance between governance and freedom.

To find the right balance between the need for an effective governance and the room for freedom is critical especially for young democracies to progress.

“If they failed to find this meeting point, the balance is lost and political instability may follow,” said Yudhoyono, who shared Indonesia’s democratic journey.

He also credited civil society in Indonesia for keeping democracy alive when the country was in turmoil.

“During this time, the ship was kept afloat because many NGOs and civil societies fought to preserve our fragile democracy. They championed reforms, defended new freedoms, pushed for progressive laws and helped to convince the public the merit of democracy,” said Yudhoyono. – September 2, 2017.