The debate over “Which comes first: development or democracy?” has been a legitimate, important, and realistic question for the past half century. It has preoccupied writers, thinkers, researchers, leaders, and statesmen. It remains an ongoing question with many examples confirming its validity and importance.
The notion of development before democracy was not a frivolous idea, but rather a response to real and pressing challenges in the post-colonial era. In East Asia, this idea began to take root early in political and social reality. It was especially evident in the experiences of three Asian leaders: Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew, Malaysia’s Mahathir Mohamad, and before them South Korea’s Park Chung-hee (1961–1979). Like their counterparts, they believed that economic development and reforms must precede any serious move toward democracy.
Mahathir Mohamad and the Malaysian Experience
Mahathir Mohamad, who served as Malaysia’s prime minister for a total of 24 years (1981–2003 and 2018–2020), stands out as one of the most influential leaders in the developing world. During his first long tenure, he transformed Malaysia from a primarily agricultural society into one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia. Under his leadership, Malaysia achieved an average GDP growth rate of around 7% annually for more than a decade, drastically reducing poverty rates—from nearly 50% in the 1970s to less than 5% by the early 2000s.
Mahathir championed the “Look East Policy,” urging Malaysians to emulate the discipline, work ethic, and industrial strategies of Japan and South Korea rather than relying solely on Western models. This policy reshaped Malaysia’s industrialization path, encouraging heavy industries, high-tech development, and infrastructure expansion. Projects such as the North-South Expressway, the Petronas Twin Towers, and Cyberjaya (Malaysia’s attempt at a Silicon Valley) were symbols of his vision.
Beyond economics, Mahathir Mohamad also redefined Malaysia’s global standing. He positioned the country as a leader within the Muslim world and the Non-Aligned Movement, frequently criticizing Western double standards, especially in trade and international politics. His assertive foreign policy made him a prominent voice from the Global South.
Development Before Democracy: Mahathir’s Proof
Mahathir’s legacy proved that authoritarian-leaning governance combined with pragmatic economic planning could achieve rapid development in post-colonial societies. While Malaysia maintained a parliamentary system and regular elections, Mahathir’s rule was often criticized for limiting press freedoms, centralizing power, and restricting dissent. Yet he argued that political stability was necessary to ensure economic progress, echoing the same logic as Lee Kuan Yew in Singapore and Park Chung-hee in South Korea.
By the time he stepped down in 2003, Malaysia had not only industrialized but had also become a model of ethnic and religious coexistence—despite underlying tensions between Malay, Chinese, and Indian communities. Mahathir’s approach showed that democracy could be delayed or curtailed in favor of national unity and long-term economic planning, without necessarily plunging the country into authoritarian chaos.
Theoretical Context: Challenging Western Assumptions
In academia, the debate on “development before democracy” has been tied to modernization theory, which suggests that economic development naturally leads to democratization. On the other hand, some scholars argue that democracy is the prerequisite for sustainable growth. Mahathir’s Malaysia stands as evidence against the latter view. His country advanced rapidly despite democratic limitations, suggesting that economic growth and nation-building can precede, or even substitute for, liberal democracy in certain contexts.
This debate gains further importance today as Western economies face stagnation while China, Malaysia, South Korea, and other Asian nations demonstrate remarkable growth under non-liberal or hybrid political systems. The supposed “liberal inevitability” championed by Francis Fukuyama now appears increasingly fragile.
Lessons for the Arab and African Worlds
In the Arab world, despite post-colonial regimes adopting the slogan “development first”, few delivered genuine progress. Experiments in Egypt under Nasser and in Iraq under Ba’athist rule produced limited development, only to be undone by war and authoritarian excess. Later regimes fared even worse, deepening decline under the banner of hollow democracy and leading eventually to the Arab Spring—an experiment in political upheaval that collapsed without delivering either development or democracy.
By contrast, Mahathir’s Malaysia demonstrated that visionary leadership, economic pragmatism, and disciplined governance can achieve what slogans cannot. While the Gulf states today showcase a model of rentier development fueled by oil wealth, Malaysia achieved much of its progress through industrial diversification, education reforms, and human capital development—offering lessons for other resource-rich nations seeking to escape the trap of dependency.
In Africa, too, countries like Rwanda and Ethiopia have followed developmental paths that emphasize economic progress before Western-style democracy, echoing Mahathir’s argument that every society must craft its own trajectory.
Mahathir’s Global Significance
What Mahathir Mohamad ultimately proved to the world is that there is no single formula for development. He demonstrated that:
- Development can precede democracy without dooming a nation to dictatorship.
- Economic vision and political will matter more than imported ideological templates.
- Non-Western models of modernization can succeed, often more effectively than Western prescriptions.
- Strong leadership and state-guided capitalism can lift entire societies from poverty to prosperity.
Conclusion
The world today is rethinking the old assumptions of democracy and liberalism as prerequisites for prosperity. Mahathir Mohamad’s Malaysia, alongside the experiences of Singapore, South Korea, and China, challenges the Western narrative of inevitability. His leadership proved that a disciplined, pragmatic, and locally tailored model of governance could deliver development, stability, and global respect—without necessarily conforming to Western definitions of democracy.
Mahathir’s enduring lesson to the world is clear: development is not a byproduct of democracy, but a foundation upon which societies may eventually choose their own form of political evolution.
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If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our journalism and sustains our future. Support the Dawat Media Center from as little as $/€10 – it only takes a minute. If you can, please consider supporting us with a regular amount each month. Thank you
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