Why a veteran diplomat believes the West must stop exporting its own political model

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Kishore Mahbubani, a former Singaporean diplomat and UN Security Council president, argues that the West’s insistence on imposing democracy globally is often counterproductive. He contends that international stability requires Western powers to recognize their own role in global bottlenecks rather than viewing other nations as the primary source of conflict.

Born in 1948 to a displaced Sindhi family, Kishore Mahbubani built a career at the intersection of philosophy and global governance. After serving as Singapore’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and leading the Security Council in 2001 and 2002, he transitioned into academia, notably directing the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy for over a decade. His work frequently challenges the narrative of Western moral superiority, suggesting that the current global order is hampered by a democratic deficit within major international institutions.

Mahbubani posits that the West’s aggressive foreign policy and self-portrayal as a moral arbiter are perceived as hypocritical by much of the world. He points to historical precedents, noting that Western nations required centuries to establish functioning democratic systems, including the long delay in granting voting rights to women and minorities. He argues that forcing rapid democratization, as seen in the aftermath of the Iraq War, often leads to instability rather than progress. Instead, he advocates for a focus on economic development and the cultivation of a middle class as essential preconditions for human rights.

In his recent analysis, Mahbubani suggests that Europe should pursue a more autonomous geopolitical path. He argues that by emulating rational actors who prioritize national interests—much like he observes in the United States—Europe could potentially foster a more stable global environment. This includes seeking strategic compromises with Russia and welcoming Chinese investment in Africa to address long-term demographic challenges. Ultimately, he calls for a shift in perspective: the West must stop viewing itself as the solution and start addressing its own contributions to global political and social tensions.

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