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What is democracy?
Democracy is a term given to political systems that
require a popular vote, or representative election, to take place in order to
choose officials and leaders of a country. This means that the leaders are chosen
by the people.
Many of the world’s most successful countries operate
with a democratic system, including the United State of America. In that way, Franklin D.Roosvelt said that ‘’Let
us never forget that government is ourselves and not alien power over us. The
ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a president and senators and
congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country’’.
The origin of the word ‘’democracy ‘’ comes from the Greek
word meaning ‘’ popular government’’.
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Nowadays, people critic the place of democracy in Africa.
For the partisans, democracy is considered to be best form of government and most of
the countries in the world have adopted it. However detractor thinks that democracy is a misuse of Time and Public
Funds. Democracy can also lead to waste of public resources.
I. Advantages of Democracy
Democracy has many advantages and many arguments have
given in favor of it in Africa, chief merit of democracy lies in that its
safeguards its interests of people.
1. Real
power lies in the hands of the people who exercise it by the representatives
elected by them and who are responsible to them.
It is said that social, economic and political
interests of the individuals are served better under this system.
2.
Democracy
is also based on the principle of equality.
All members of the state are equal in the eyes of law.
All enjoy equal social, political and economic rights and state cannot
discriminate among citizens on the basic of caste, religion, sex or propriety. All
have equal right to choose their government.
3.
Democracy
is known for its stability, firmness and efficiency. These days tenure of the
elected representatives is fixed. They form stability government because it is
based on public support. The administration is conducted with a sense of responsibility.
In representative democracy, people’s representatives discuss matters more
thoroughly and take reasonable decision. Under monarchy the Monarch takes
decision as he pleases. Under dictatorship, the dictator do not involve people
at all in decision making, people have no right to criticize the decisions of
the dictator even when they are bad against people’s welfare.
4.
Another
argument given in favor of democracy is that is it saves as a training school for Africa citizens. Africans get
impetus to take part in the affairs of the state. At the time of elections
political parties propose their policy and program in support of their
candidates. All means of propaganda public meeting, posters, radio, television
and speeches by important leaders of the parties are used to win public favor.
It creates political consciousness among the people. Since democracy is based
on public will, there is no chance of public revolt. Representatives elected by
the people conduct the affairs of the state with public support. If they don’t
work efficiently or don’t come up to the expectations of their masters. It is
also based on public will. It conducts state business with public support.
Democracy is therefore, more stable than other form of government, it helps in making people good citizens upon creates
proper environment for the development of
personality and cultivating good habits. D.Tacquville is of opinion that
‘’Democracy is the first school of good citizenship. Citizens learn their right
and duties from birth till death it’’.Indeed, democracy administration is based
on public will, public opinion lends it strength. It is not based on fear of
authority. Gettel is of opinion that democracy stands on consensus, not on
power; it admits the existence of state for individual, not individual for the
state.
5.
In
a democracy, power is transferred from
one party to another by means of elections. The choice of the citizens of a
nation determines its ruling authority. The government runs on people’s
support.
However, we have demerits of democracy following
arguments have been given against democracy.
II.
Disadvantages of Democracy
More emphasis is made on quantity than quality: it is
not based upon the quality but on quantity. Majority people hold the reigns of
government. In efficient and corrupt persons get themselves elected. They have
neither intelligence, nor vision, nor strength of character to steer through
the ship of state to its destination.
1.
Democracies are run by incompetent persons.
It is government by amateurs. In it, every citizen is
allowed to take part, whereas everybody is not fit for it. Loke calls it the act of running administration by the
ignorant. He says that history records the fact that a few are intelligent.
Universal adult franchise grants right to vote to everybody. Thus, ‘’a few
manipulators who can collect votes with the greatest success get democracy
power’’. The result is that democracy run by the ignorant and incompetent
becomes totally unfit for intellectual progress and search for scientific
truths.
2.
The concept of equality is enshrined in democracy. It is against the law of nature. Nature has not
endowed every individual with intelligence wisdom. Men’s talents differ. Some
are courageous, other are cowards.
Critics are of opinion that ‘’it is against the law of nature to grant
equal status to everybody.’’ Then in democracy,
voters do not interest in election because they don’t cast their vote in a
spirit of duty as democracy require them to do. Contestants of election
persuade them. Even then, it is generally found that run out come to 50 to 60
percent only. This forfeits the very tall claim of holding elections.
3.
In democracy system, the only aim of the candidates is
to win election. They often
employ under-hand practices, foul means to get elected. Character assassination
is openly practiced; unethical ways are generally adopted in Africa. Muscle
power and money power for some politician Africans.Nowadays in Africa,
democracy is a government of rich. Modern democracy is, in fact, capitalists.
Electioneering is carried out with money. The Africans rich candidate purchase
votes. Might of economic power rules over the whole process. The net result is
that we get plutocracy under the grab of democracy-democracy in name and from,
plutocracy in reality. In Africa election champagne, the rich candidate holds
the media and uses it for their own benefit. Big business houses influence dailies
for creating public opinion to their favor.
4.
For more Africans, democracy is huge waste of time in
the formulation of laws.
A lot of money is spent during the elections. It provoked also no stable
government when no party gets absolute majority, coalition government are
formed like in Ivory Coast. The coalition of political parties with a view of
sharing power is only a marriage of convenience. Whenever there accurse clash
of interest, the coalition is lost and government crumbles down. Thus, stable government
under democracy generally doesn’t exist.
5.
Democracy is criticized in Africa because it
establishes dictatorship of majority. The majority is required to safeguard the interests
of minority but in actual practice it does not. It is also bad influence of
political parties. Political parties are the basis of democracy. A political
party aims at capturing power. The politicians Africans try to win election by
hook or by crook. Practicing the immoral methods, empty ideals, inciting
hatred, spreading caste feelings, communalism has become a common practice. It
lowers the national character.
6.
Let’s
us not forget that in democracy nation, it is the citizens who hold the right
to elect their representatives and their governing authorities. According to a
common observation, not all the citizens are fully aware of the political
scenario in their country or the issues their nation faces. This may result in
people making the wrong choices during election. Sadly, in Africa, people do not exercise their right to vote. Many
are reluctant to vote or less aware about the impact their vote can have. They
do not consider it as their privilege, and take the process of voting less
seriously.
7.
In a democracy system, it takes longer to take
decisions and implementation them. In a monarchy, it’s one person who can take decisions and ensure their
quick implementation. In a democracy system, the implementation requires
majority voting, relatively less prompt in taking actions. As the government is
subject to change after every election term, the authorities may work on short
term goals. As they have to face an election after their competition of each
term, they may lose focus on working for the people and rather focus on winning
elections.
8.
Another
disadvantage of democracy in Africa is that the mobs can influence people. Citizens may vote in favor of a
party under the influence of majority. Compelled or influenced by opinions of
those around, a person may not use his own judgment when voting. Election
campaigns in Africa, may involve immoral practices to lure the masses. The
candidates use muscle power to draw majority votes. They may tarnish the
reputation of their opponent. Money and muscle power may be used to influence
the public against the opposing party. Under hand practice may be employed to
win election.
A disadvantage of direct democracy for Africans is
that not all citizens are knowledgeable enough to take the right decision regarding
the legislation. Moreover, they may not have time/ also, the majority may
influence the minority. This may breed inefficiency in governing. However in
country like Africa where people do not vote or where the elections are
influenced by riches or religion, the real meaning of democracy is lost.
After all, every form of government in Africa has some
shortfalls. People have different views about different political systems. The
advantages and disadvantages of many form of government have to be weighted
carefully before arriving at any conclusion. Then it is, indeed, true that
democracy for Africans means discussion, opposition and thus it slows down
movement. But that is a blessing rather than a curse. It is desirable that all
measures be examined thoroughly before they are put into practice.
