Since it left the controlling web of the Soviet Union, the nation of Mongolia has been walking the road towards parliamentary democracy. However, the past week witnessed a slight detour of that road when angry mobs assaulted government offices to protest a recent election which gave a solid majority in parliament to the Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party. At least five are dead, over 300 injured and hundreds of others detained. Justice Minister Munk-Orgil, commented: “We’re going through a difficult period of political and economic transition where all parties heed to harmonize and agree on some basic norms.” The norms of civility and being able to cope with loss are among the most difficult for new democracies.

Democracy is an easy word to say, but a difficult concept to bring into fruition.