آرشیف

1. The Emergence of Democracy in History 

In our view, democracy is the institutionalization of the essence of human  free will and freedom to choose laws and legislation, equitable distribution  of wealth, universal participation in political power and sovereignty, and  government. 

According to European historical accounts, the roots of democracy first  emerged in ancient Athens in the 6th century (594-508 BC). The foundation  of this democracy was the reforms of Solon, a poet and statesman, and  Cleisthenes, an Athenian politician who played a key role in expanding  democracy throughout the Athenian territory. These reforms gave the  common people more power and helped to create a more just and  equitable society. The ideas and approaches of these two statesmen form  the basis of advanced democracies around the world. 

However, history attests that the Achaemenid Empire of ancient Iran (550- 330 BC) under the leadership of Cyrus the Great, also in the 6th century,  parallel to the process of Greek reforms, established a form of just system  in the Asian civilizational sphere that embodied the placement of the rule  of law, the right to freedom of choice, the right to freedom of religion, the  right to freedom of property, and other civil liberties of the time. The people  of that land, in an area of 8 million square kilometers, lived peacefully side  by side. 

In this article, we do not claim or demand that the political system of the  Achaemenid Empire be considered a democracy. However, the Cyrus  Cylinder or Cyrus’s Edict of Peace is a blatant historical document that is  recognized as the first declaration of human rights in the modern world. It  proclaims freedom of religion, freedom of expression, freedom of  assembly, respect for women’s rights, the prohibition of slavery, the  establishment of justice, and the maintenance of peace and security. This  decree shows that Cyrus was a just and wise king who had deep respect for  human rights and human dignity and was a symbol of peace and justice. 

The foundations of Cyrus’s political power structure could not, in ancient  history, demonstrate democracy and popular rule. Because at the head of 

political power and sovereignty was an unelected monarch. The essence of  human free will, choice, and freedom, which forms the cornerstone of  democracy, was captive to the power of the king. Thus, we can claim that  the actions of Cyrus and the text of his Edict of Peace only laid the  foundation for the initial values of equality, convergence, and human  coexistence in ancient times to the human world. For example, Farnoush  Ram – Israel writes: 

“In the book of Ezra in the Torah or Old Testament, it is said that Cyrus  saved the Jews from the land of bondage in Babylon, where they had been  forcibly driven, and led them with a caravan of soldiers from the  Achaemenid Empire to their ancestral homeland in Jerusalem of Judea.” 

However, it is worth remembering that the foundation of power and  government that Cyrus laid on the basis of freedom, humanism, and  equality, its continuation could have transformed the world. And to guide  the future of humanity towards prosperity, comfort, and coexistence.  However, unfortunately, this humanitarian idea in the process of time due  to the successive invasions of foreigners in the land of Greater Iran, caused  the process of establishing a popular system to change its fundamental  direction. 

We hope that the day will come when the kindred countries that have been  severed from the body of ancient Iran will once again form a political  system in a cultural geography and in the light of the political values of  Cyrus’s Edict of Peace and the valuable experiences of Western democracy  in their own countries, the foundations of their popular constitution will be  the embodiment of peace, security, social justice, and real freedom. 

Democracy means adherence to: the right to vote, equality and equality  before the law, maintaining the security and immunity and individual and  group freedoms of the people. Which has faced many ups and downs in the  course of its history. Especially in the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries, with  the growth of advanced technology and its extensive use in the areas of  legal work, business, education, entertainment, medicine, security, the  Internet, music, and especially the expansion of the role of artificial  intelligence (automation and robotics, decision-making, analysis and root  cause analysis, personalization and creativity …) to our entire civilization.  Which has paved the way for the emergence of power structures and 

political sovereignty under the name of democracy and popular society to  be able to spread, strengthen, and develop throughout the world. 

2. The Strategic Foundations of Democracy Are: 

• Free and fair elections: People have the right to choose their  representatives in free and fair elections. 
• Rule of law: All people are equal before the law and no one is above  the law. 
• Popular sovereignty: Power and sovereignty ultimately belong to the  people and is for the people. 

3. Different Types of Democracy in the World: 

• Direct democracy: In this type of democracy, people directly  participate in political decision-making. 
• Indirect democracy: In this type of democracy, people elect  representatives to participate in political decision-making on their  behalf. 
• Parliamentary democracy: In this type of democracy, power lies  with the parliament, which is elected by the people, such as the  Federal Republic of Germany. 
• Presidential democracy: In this type of democracy, power lies with  the president, who is elected by the people, such as the United  States of America. 

4. Democracy has many advantages, including: 

• Political stability: Democracies generally have more political  stability than other forms of government. 
• Economic growth: Democracies generally achieve more economic  growth than other forms of government. 
• Social justice: Democracies generally enjoy more social justice than  other forms of government.

5. Strengthening democracy: 

• Education: Educating people about their rights and responsibilities  in a democracy is very important. 
• Civic participation: Encouraging people to participate in civic  activities, such as voting, protesting, and joining political parties, can  help strengthen democracy. 
• Political reforms: Political reforms, such as electoral reforms, can  help strengthen democracy. 

The future of democracy: 

The future of democracy depends on various factors, such as the  emergence of new technologies and the globalization of human knowledge.  It is important to protect democracy from threats, such as populism and  authoritarianism, and to perpetuate a world of free thought and individual  and family security in social life. 

Conclusion: 

Democracy is the preferred system of the people because it is based on the  principles of freedom, equality, and justice. It is the best system of  government for ensuring the rights and well-being of all citizens. However,  democracy is not perfect and it is constantly evolving. It is important to  continue to work to strengthen democracy and to protect it from threats.

by Dr. Basir Kamjo 

April 2024