ON SEPTEMBER 15 each year the UN and its member countries observe the International Day of Democracy.

Following last year's military coup in Thailand the UK and other members of the international community, including the Secretary-General of the UN, called for the early restoration of democracy.

That seems even further away now than it did then. But what's so great about democracy? We don't support it because we want to impose a western, political system on everyone.

We do so because a genuinely democratic system brings with it tremendous benefits.

In a democracy, everyone has equal right and opportunity to participate in the political process, and even stand for election. So democracy gives people some control over the decisions that affect their lives.

People are less likely to resort to violence to resolve their differences or make their voices heard if they can participate in credible, fair elections, which allow for the peaceful and periodic transfer of power.

Where democratic values are upheld, prosperity flourishes, and the risk of instability is minimised.

In a democracy, the people get to choose their leaders. So democratic governments have to respond to people's needs and aspirations if they want to get re-elected.

In countries where there is no democracy it is all too easy for governments to focus on their own self-interest, rather than governing in the interests of their citizens.

So democracies provide fairer distribution of resources and access to power.

Democratic governments are accountable. Officials and politicians are answerable for their decisions and actions.
This reduces the opportunity for corruption.

Democracy also subjects governments to the rule of law, which means the law treats everyone, including the government, equally.

Rule of law is important because, while it respects the will of the majority, it also protects the fundamental rights of individuals and minority groups.

Democracy isn't just about having the right Constitution. We in the UK should know that - we don't have a written Constitution at all: we have an uncodified and unwritten constitution.

But it is dependent on some key players.

Take political parties, for example. Many people blame politicians and political parties for whatever they think is wrong with their country.

There are good politicians and there are bad politicians, just like in any part of society. But political parties play a key role in a democracy.

They take the issues we care about, and turn them into public policy. They train political leaders. They simplify the choices for voters at election time. They help inform the electorate.

And, when in opposition, political parties monitor and challenge the performance of the ruling party. Of course, for all this to work, political parties must ensure they retain a strong link with the community, and keep listening to the people.

And they need to be inclusive, and accessible to all citizens, and reflect broader society.

This year, the UN's theme of International Day of Democracy is ''Space for Civil Society''. The components of civil society - including a free press, charities, NGOs, religious organisations and international bodies such as the UN - all have a key role to play in a democracy.

Civil society is an important safeguard against excessive state power. When strong enough, it holds governments to account, and ensures citizens are adequately informed about the issues that affect them.

That is why we are concerned when governments put barriers in place to constrain the activities of civil society. Restrictions on freedom of expression are a clear example.

In Thailand, a particularly worrying manifestation is the use of criminal defamation laws to instill fear and prevent people from raising legitimate concerns about wrongdoing and the abuse of power.

I blogged earlier this year about UK celebrations to mark the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta. One of the lessons from that anniversary is that democracy and the rule of law take time to take root.

We in the UK are still working on it. There is healthy and open debate in the UK about issues such as membership of the House of Lords, which is the UK's unelected upper chamber; about which voting system should be used in our elections; about devolution of power to other parts of the UK.

Reform is a never-ending process. Political systems should continue to evolve to reflect changes in the society around them.

The important thing is that there is space for debate, and opposition. As Thailand once again begins the process of agreeing a new Constitution I hope there will be a full and free public debate on the implications for democracy.