Democratic participation of the population in the political process is mostly realized in
the countries enjoying advanced economies. The rule of law and respect for
human rights has grown solid roots in these places. With a few exceptions the
rest of the world is reeling from violations of human rights under the grip of
authoritarian rules. Most of the Islamic world is infected with military
dictatorship, or authoritarian regimes. Whatever democratic process may exist
in these countries are mired by violations of human rights and coerced by
violence and corrupt judicial practices. In Asia, some of the previous colonies
have started adopting the democratic rule and moving away from a history of
dictatorship. However, in many cases, they represent nothing more than a formal
democracy, where electoral process is corrupted by different means in conflict
with the aspirations of free and fair participations of the people. Vote buying
and other methods of frauds are known. India is the best example of democracy
in the developing world. Indian democracy is mobilized by the force of poverty
and illiteracy based on issues like castes, regional language, ethnic and
cultural differences, religion, popularity as sport and media star, and
economic problems among others. People do not participate in voting with any
greater understanding and vision beyond one`s own security for survival in a
poverty stricken society. Corruption, lack of transparency in bureaucracy and
police, and shoddy legislative apparatus making the legal system questionable
in defending the human rights, make Indian democracy more a show of voting
rights, than any meaningful participation of people in building a social order
that can secure disadvantaged population against injustice and abuse of power.
In this biggest democracy the historical bondage to the feudal system still
plays an important role in electing its leaders. However, in spite of many
loopholes and deficiencies, the rise of the activities of the NGOs and media,
not controlled by the government, is making Indian democracy as an example for
the developing world.

Among the advanced economies, the countries,who did not participate in colonizing the world, and where the ideas of equality had strong appeal from the past, social-democracy had taken deep roots. These countries, with a long history of social-democracy have become the citadels of human rights. Presence of well- organized civil societies, lack of corruption and preservation of high transparencies in legal, cultural, economic and political systems have made them the best example of democracy today. Other advanced nations, where colonialism have a long history, democracies carry the
shadows of the past. In capitalist countries democracy is a free competition
based on the strength of money, power of mobilizing the interest groups who can
best support the growth of free liberal market. Human rights are based on the idea of individual freedom and the rights to maximize one`s wealth by utilizing capital and human resources of the world.  They seek to maintain economic and military hegemony over other nations. These nations support democracy, or authoritarian rule depending on what best fit their military and economic interests. When they wish to replace existing authoritarian rulers by persons of their own choice they take leadership in promoting human rights and democracy.

In communist countries, like Russia and China, the democracy is counterproductive to the goal of ensuring the rights of development of the people instead of the individuals. External actors interested in resources of other countries, play substantial roles in shaping the political development. Countries enjoying military and financial hegemony,
utilize covert means to influence and manipulate these political processes. They
exploit the climate of religious infighting, tribal conflicts, minority grievances, and antagonism between socialist and capitalist world views.