Topic: 2025 – Authoritarianism and Democracy
Country: Chile
Delegate Name: Jack Cook
The threat to democracy today is greater than it ever has been before. While throughout history the world has tended to remain approximately equal in the number of democracies and autocracy’s, 71% of all people currently live in an autocracy. In addition to this, over the last 14 years, the number of citizens who agreed that having 1 unbound leader is a good thing rose 14% from 38% to 52%. As the world begins to lean more authoritarian, threats to civil liberties, human rights, and international peace begin to grow. This topic is particularly important to the Republic of Chile, a country that has been under the leadership of both an authoritarian and a democratic government, because of Chile’s unique perspective on this subject.
The core values of democracy are values that are echoed in the actions and beliefs of the United Nations. In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly created the 2030 Agenda For Sustainable Development. In this resolution, they committed to a world where democracy is crucial to sustainable development. The united nations also provides assistance for over 60 countries each year in conducting fair elections. The United Nations has also created the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) which has supported over 900 projects worth close to 250 million dollars for empowering civil society’s, promoting human rights, and encouraging the participation of all groups in democratic processes.
The Republic of Chile hopes to advance U.N efforts in maintaining democracies around the world. Chile ranks 29th in the world in the democracy index just 1 place below the United States of America. They received a 9.58/10 in electoral processes and a 9.41/10 in civil liberty’s. As a fully democratic state, Chile will work with the U.N to seek support for democracy is developing and developed countries alike. In the past, Chile has served on the Human Rights Council for the protection of the environment, democracy and the rule of law. Chile also recognizes the significant threat that authoritarian regimes present to the people of a nation. During the authoritarian rule of General Augusto Pinochet (1973-1990), Over 3,000 people were executed or forcibly disappeared, Tens of thousands were imprisoned and tortured, and Dissent was brutally suppressed. Authoritarian governments are even stronger than they were back then. By using non violent methods to gain control over the government, authoritarian regimes are able to last longer, face less public backlash, and maintain a greater amount of control over a nation. Authoritarian regimes also use tactics like rigging elections and increasing the power of the executive to effectively reduce the chance of rebellion.
The delegation of Chile is fully committed to supporting democracies in whatever way they can while also working to increase civil rights, fair voting processes, and rule of law by reducing the power and vitality of authoritarian governments across the globe.
