Growth and democracy can go hand-in-hand

Growth and democracy can go hand-in-hand

A recent report from the World Bank describes India and
Pakistan -- together with Indonesia and seven other countries,
including China -- as emerging global economic giants.

This heartening report, however, does not improve the South
Asian region's previous reputation of being constantly beset by
economic problems.

Even while democratic practices are flourishing, a United
Nations report ranks South Asia as the poorest and the most
illiterate region in the world. "South Asia" was defined as the
area including Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and
the Maldives.

We are disinclined to go into the argument over which must
come first: democracy or growth and a fair distribution of
wealth, because an illustration is available to show that both
can go hand-in-hand: the Philippines.

We would like to see the South Asian case history not leading
other countries to draw the wrong conclusion -- that the practice
of democracy will only lead to retrogressive and backward
practices.

We prefer to take the view that both can be attained
simultaneously, and that the drive to secure growth is not used
as an excuse for not practicing democracy.

-- Kompas, Jakarta