ABSTRACT
This chapter examines whether there is perfect model of democracy. It also argues that if a democracy does not continue to evolve, it becomes stultified, and rapidly out of date, especially in the era of globalization. While democratic core values may be shared, the manner in which they are operationalized, put into practical form, will vary dramatically from system to system. While basic core democratic principles and procedures can and should be pursued, a political model cannot always be 'exported'. Some recent elections, both in transitional and more mature democracies, demonstrate the vital importance of conducting free and fair elections organized and scrutinized by independent electoral officers, free from partisan affiliations, using common and fair standards of enumeration and vote counting. To do otherwise can delegitimize, whether partially or wholly, the 'elected' government and can damage the credibility of the democratic process itself.
