Topic: 2025 – Authoritarianism and Democracy
Country: Israel
Delegate Name: Madelynn Fraaza
Madelynn Fraaza
Mattawan High School
Israel
Authoritarianism and Democracy, as part of SPECPOL
Authoritarian governments have seen an alarming rise in the past decade, posing a threat to global stability, human rights, and democracy as we know it. Democratic norms are becoming both less democratic and increasingly rare, indicating strained political authority worldwide. Not only are authoritarian governments harmful to international relations, but they also demonstrate weak civil societies and limited amounts of transparency, creating obstacles to sustainable peace and development. As members of SPECPOL, we need to ensure that democratic principles remain at the forefront of nations’ minds, while also respecting the individual rights to governance that each country may have.
Israel has long been named the only true democracy in the East. An electoral democracy grounded in rule of law principles that closely mirror our allies to the West, Israel firmly believes that democratic governance is foundational to economic development and regional stability. However, democracy can not simply be a one-size-fits-all term for nations across the globe. As important as it is to advocate for pluralism and accountability within our governments, it is equally as important to consider the unique threats that each country faces. States facing excessive terrorism or external interference may struggle to maintain wholly democratic practices, but we need to acknowledge. the rights of rulers to govern as they see is best fit for the safety of their country. Because of this, Israel is in support of realistic pathways that combat true authoritarian regime while still addressing individual security concerns.
As a country that faces some of these unique security concerns of their own, Israel is in strong support of additional methods to allow central governments to strengthen their institutions in post-conflict regions. We urge SPECPOL to consider providing assistance focused on increasing the independence of state judicial systems, placing new democratic security monitoring systems in place, and combating excessive foreign interference. Israel is aware of the idea that increased security measures could equate to authoritarianism, and hopes that other countries join them in rejecting said idea. As a state that has faced continuous threats from non-state deities and their hostile governments, Israel holds the belief that democratic governments such as ours have the right—obligation, really—to defend their citizens as they see fit. Through Israel’s commitment to multilateralism and strong engagement with other nations in the region, we hope to encourage a higher standard of accountable governance worldwide, without infringing upon national soverignty. And, we hope that in a new era of democracy, we can remember what truly matters: government meant to meet the needs of the people; for the people, and by the people.
