Xinhua published an editorial commenting on the power struggle in the African country of Cote d’Ivoire. It reported that the power struggle surrounding the presidential election in Cote d’Ivoire has seriously affected social stability, economic development, and people’s livelihoods. The article described Cote d’Ivoire as a stable and prosperous country that became very unstable, full of violence and bloody conflict, after Western countries pressured it into introducing a multiple party system and presidential elections. The article further offered that this phenomenon is widespread in Africa.
The article concluded that “Western democracy” is not a panacea for every country. In different countries and in countries in different stages of development, arbitrarily transplanting Western democracy or “being democratized” frequently causes power struggles, instability, and violent conflicts. Thus it hinders economic development and damages the fundamental interests of the nation and the people.
Source: Xinhua, January 19, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2011-01/19/c_121000621.htm