Is democracy on ventilators?

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Joe Biden talks virtually with service members, from the Eisenhower Executive Office Building's South Court Auditorium at the White House, during an event with first lady Jill Biden, in Washington, U.S., December 25, 2021. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz

WHEN United States President Biden called the virtual Summit for Democracy earlier this month, he recognised in his closing speech that “Democracy is what makes it possible for hope and history to rhyme”, but also that democracy must deliver and be accountable.

This last view coincides with China’s White Paper on China: Democracy that Works – “there is nothing wrong with democracy per se.