The Pariah State

Of course, Israel is not the only nation that might 'boast' the label, of 'Pariah State.' Heaven knows that the globe is far more 'richly' populated by non-democratic nations than it is by those wishing to be thought of as democratic.

Being a subject that concerns the vast majority of global citizens- sadly not all of them- much work has been undertaken in identifying where democracy succeeds and where it does not. Various sources are in general agreement, more or less, regarding the ideal criteria required, although not necessarily upon the precise ordering of the nations concerned. Let's go with the idea that there are currently 195 nations upon the globe, although this is liable to certain variation and the totals to be open to dispute. Recent, ongoing and pending crises are likely to both alter the number of (disputed) nations as well as to amend the criteria by which nations are (currently being) adjudged.

The 'worldpopulationreview' site surveyed 167 of the 195 possible nations, gathering quantities of data. Other sites have either undertaken independent work or else have colluded in order to draw helpful conclusions and comparisons. The following data has been sourced from the above, Wiki and other concerned sites. When last updated there were 72 nations adjudged to be either 'full' or 'flawed democracies,' Ongoing current events seem highly likely to cause some serious 'backsliding.'

There are multiple theories about the specific elements required for any government to qualify as a democracy. The following six would seem to constitute a bare minimum:
* A pluralistic system in which at least two legitimate-but-different political parties coexist
* A free and fair electoral process that enables the people to choose between candidates from those parties
* A government that operates openly and transparently, works for the good of all the people, respects its own rules, has proper checks and balances, and gives its citizens free choice and control over their lives
* Politically engaged citizens who support democratic principles, 'fight fair', vote regularly, accept the will of the voters, and commit to a peaceful transfer of power after each election
* An emphasis on preserving civil liberties and personal freedoms of both the majority and minorities
* A free and independent media unhindered by government interference, influence, or intimidation

Stanford University political scientist Larry Diamond has compiled a similar list, maintaining that any democracy must include four key elements:
* A political system for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair elections
* The active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life
* Protection of the human rights of all citizens
* A rule of law in which the laws and procedures apply equally to all citizens


Concentrating upon the UK, because that is the citizenry amongst which I number, there would appear to be a few teething troubles with regards to the nation's aspirations at featuring amongst the countries claiming 'full democracy.' So, skipping lightly over a couple of minor, yet obvious, lesser glitches, there are significant hurdles to be overcome with points 3, 4 and 5 upon the former list, whilst criteria 3 and 4 upon the second list also fall somewhat short of the ideal. And yet, still, the UK was last adjudged 'full democracy,' listed 16th, with a score of 8.54 out of a maximum 10. It would seem that an update to the site is now overdue.

Using 60 separate signifiers only 72 nations were adjudged 'democracies,' with just 23 of these managing to attain 'full democracy' status. Norway was top, with a score of 9.81 and North Korea was bottom, with a score of just 1.08. Both the USA (25th at 7.92) and Israel ( 27th at 7.84) were deemed to be 'flawed democracies.' The latter will have nose-dived, no doubt considerably, in recent weeks. Currently, it is difficult to imagine a route back to the 'heady days' of 7.92 for the Pariah State.

Upon a globe that many regard as slipping, with regards to any sense of democratic ideals, the UK, the USA and Israel have all been adjudged guilty of backsliding! They're not the only culprits. The UK was identified 'falling short' on several counts, by Human Rights Watch, first during the premiership of PM Johnson. The 'flawed democracy' of the US has been identified, by political scientists, as backsliding over several decades, up to and including the present. Multiple scholars have found Israel to be "facing a crisis," and at "risk of right-wing populism," "fuelled by significant 'democratic' decline." The inverted commas about 'democratic' are mine. When 'backsliding' is factored in it seems likely that several nations will have to be seriously downgraded! It also seems beyond doubt that Israel will have done far more than others to warrant a major downgrade!

Both the USA and its puppy UK would have it that the globe's foremost Pariah State is that of Putin's 'authoritarian regime' of Russia (3.31), that is unless the USA switches to targeting China (2.27), jerking the leash such that the UK soon falls into dutiful line, curiously not Israel! Why, it's almost as if neither nation has yet clocked footage of what's been happening inside Gaza! Even though we know that they most certainly have.

When the incomparable Nelson Mandela was still with us he spoke up for freedoms and for democracy, stating that "We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians."
At that time South Africa was busily climbing up the rankings. Nelson knew when to buck with the US-centric narrative and he knew how to recognise a Pariah State when he saw one!

Up until his release in February 1990 Nelson Mandela was referred to by former UK PM Thatcher as "a terrorist." As President of the African National Congress Mandela fought, and then campaigned, to topple the apartheid political regime in his country of South Africa. In 1993, apartheid duly dismantled, widely circumnavigating any Thatcher ideology, he was justly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Whilst travelling through southern parts of the African continent I met several caucasian individuals who one might reasonably have termed 'a bit racist' in their outlook and respective hopes for their countries, yet none seemed to have a bad word to say about Nelson Mandela.

In recent days, weeks, months, many of Nelson Mandela's former colleagues and friends, fellow countrymen and former members of the ANC, have spoken out about Israeli Occupied Palestine.
Amongst the voices a consensus has arisen that compares the former apartheid South Africa to that of current Occupied Palestine,
damning the latter by comparison. Never did South Africa's white government seek to Collectively Transfer
its black population to another nation! In amongst its many crimes against humanity, never was a Genocide
against its own citizens orchestrated! And ne'er did the South African regime cut off water, power, food and seek to seed disease amongst a cowering population, a form of biological weapon! WHO has recorded over 44,000 cases of diarrhoea and 70,000 respiratory infections. But the real numbers will be significantly higher! Under Mandela's tutelage the former Pariah State shook off the curse of apartheid and managed to claw its way up and in amongst the 'democratic nations.' Since his death it has sadly slipped, 'backsliding' to a rating of 7.05 (flawed democracy). But, even under the shadow of apartheid, never did it sink to where Israel now lays claim, to being the sole Western apartheid state. That crown of thorns is Israel alone's to bear!

Shamefully enabled by other 'Western-claiming' nations, Israel increasingly seeks to set itself apart. Although situated in the Middle East, erected upon Palestinian lands, Israel would have the world regard it as a Western Nation. When sporting or other international events suit, it seeks to be regarded as honorary European, lobbying for European status. Anyone who paid attention to the outrageous regime-changing and covert actions of the USA, in Central America- conducted openly so under Regan- will have been able to draw clear conclusions as to why so many $millions in arms continue to be invested in the Pariah State of Israel. Even in the spotlight of Genocide the transport of military arms does not slow. In many senses Israel is the USA's pawn in the region. And much like the US and several other Western nations Israel operates, expects and increasingly demands, it's own very specific hierarchy of racism!
One could almost regard the damning indictment currently as Israel's top export.

But Israel is not European. Nor is it a democracy! It cannot be both a democracy and an apartheid state. Setting itself apart in its contempt for human life, conducting Genocide, Collective Punishment
and Forced Transfer
on a scale unparalleled now in living memory, Israel has to be the globe's utmost Pariah State!