A tale from the dark side of democracy

 Imagine young people growing up in such circumstances, seeking to establish their own youth organisations and assert their voice; after all, their country has signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (the only countries in the world that have not are Somalia and the US). Imagine finding yourself trying to stand on principle and, as a result, being excluded from any participation or debate, while those who are willing to make concessions and compromises are ushered into the inner circles of decision-making and influence.

We tend to think that democracies follow particular patterns and practices. There may be different rules governing voting and elections but the inalienable ground rule is that of one person, one vote. We then like to think that it is our elected representatives who form governments, either as a majority party or in coalition with others. And then, from that government a set of ministers emerge, at least one of whom has some kind of lead or co-ordinating responsibility for policies directed towards young people.

Of course, even in the historically democratic UK it doesn't quite work like that. Gordon Brown has been criticised for elevating too many non-elected members of the House of Lords to ministerial positions, even if perhaps he showed some courage in seeking to form a "government of all the talents" and include individuals who were not card-carrying members of the Labour Party.

But in one of the countries I have had dealings - let's call it "Absurdistan" - still less than 20 years from being part of a totalitarian regime, old traditions live on. You do not have to be a government minister or even a civil servant to represent the government in international forums concerned with youth policy. You might become the minister for youth not because you had been democratically elected, not even because you had some distinguished track record in policy, but because you just happened to be a friend of the President.

And then, precisely because you know very little about youth issues, you bring in someone who does as your adviser. You know of him from the student council at university, back in the 1990s. That person has, until this point, been a vocal critic of processes of appointment within the government, but he accepts the invitation, on the grounds that now is his chance to make a difference.

Well he would say that, wouldn't he? Perhaps his intentions are honourable - or has he at last found a comfortable slot in the political administration, something that perhaps he has been waiting for over a number of years? For a while now, until the next elections, both he and his boss will be living a life of privilege.

This country is hoping, relatively soon, to be accepted as an applicant for the European Union.

Howard Williamson is professor of European youth policy at the University of Glamorgan.