That is, we try to seed democracy through capitalism rather than first helping transform the culture's values. The former Soviet republics perhaps best illustrate the modern struggle to plant democracy. These countries espouse democratic ideals and want the benefits of capitalism, but neither system prospers because their cultures have not been inculcated with Judeo-Christian values. Seventy years of communism and a long history of authoritarian regimes have drained their cultures of key Christian principles. Today, widespread public corruption has both supplanted their economies and undermined their Judeo-Christian traditions.
China has a similar problem.
Its totalitarian regime has allowed free enterprise zones, yet cracks down on incipient democratic thoughts and human rights. China will not become a prosperous capitalistic country until democracy blossoms. Meanwhile, human rights violations will continue. The understandable volatility that results from struggling to become a democracy has a serious down side, however. The self-determination movement and its jingoistic sentiments have emerged and resulted in the splintering of struggling democracies before they can mature.