Can democracy really work here in Africa

[Gozie51]

Democracy is a form of government characterized by by majority role in which the power to choose their leaders is solely put in the hands of the masses . Democracy is characterized by some unique qualities like free and fair election with with duration of been in power and respect for rule of law

This is one key institution that makes the difference in democracy but it is obviously missing in African societies. First you need to have a genuine democratically elected government through the ballot. Even though no society is perfect and in the light of this, African governments are suppose to strive to get to the level of same democratic system that other countries have and then certain norma will be seen as an aberration to stand practice all over the world. There is no rule of law in all African society. Head of states in these countries are like gods that their words are order instead of constitution becoming the fundamentals of laws. And so these putrid abnormalities solidify corruption in all spheres of the economy by the cronies of government officials while social amenities become inachievable like because monies have been embezzled. It is a sad story in Africa, causing masses to escape to other countinent for job and good standard of living therefore increase braindrain becomes the tale of the African continent.

[BADecker]

Anybody who is considering Africa, should look at the history of Tippoo Tib in the late 1800's. A doctor, Heinrich Brodie, wrote an excellent history that you can find here - https://archive.org/details/tippootibstoryof00brod/mode/2up - and in other places.

Tippoo Tib was an Arab. But he looked like a black. Born around 1832, and died in 1905, Tippoo Tib was a Muslim slave trader in Africa. There are several variant spellings of his name. Here's his picture.

[Ethan151]

Not all of Africa is experiencing democracy, but certain regions are. Simply put, selfishness has led African leaders to opt to put themselves first. I think a single global currency would be better for democracy and good governance since national leaders are taking national assets to compete with individuals from other countries, such as America, Europe, and so on.

[Asiska02]

This lead me to ask questions is democracy made for Africa or can we go back to the way we where governing our self before the advent of colonisation
Guys let discuss why is African democracy so fragile and unstable that military is always taking over democratically elected government

When technology has advanced, we can’t because of the little disadvantages of them not use the newest technology around that will make things easier for us. So is the case of Africa, we can’t go back to the colonisation era when everyone have enjoyed what it feels to be free and not under any dictatorship. Other continents that have embraced democracy are not like the African continent, have you thought about why it is so? We just have to accept the fact that our leaders are corrupt and without standing up against them all, we will not enjoy what other countries that have embraced democracy are enjoying. We can’t go back to colonialism, we should respect the rule of law and everything will be fine.

democracy should be implemented in countries where the majority of the population is educated, if it is implemented in countries with the majority of the population being uneducated, then the result will be anarchy or military rule. you can see how examples of democracy are implemented in many countries in africa, the result is that most of these countries end in coups or rebellions. because most countries in africa are not yet ready for democracy, the majority of them are suited to being led by an autocratic system.

I am not certain about your opinion that it is because of the Africa’s most populous people not educated that they don’t know how to practice democracy or practice it without any problems conceived from it. If you’d said it was because of selfish interest, it would have been better and more reasonable as a point why it is so. With selfish interest of leaders they can easily deceive the general public that are not educated into stealing the fortunes that are meant for the people for their self use. If your followers are not educated and you’re a Just leader, you can have a democratically government governed well with peace and equity.

[Ever-young]

Democracy should be given a chance in order for it to work but in Africa mostly it's millitary rule and numerous coups to get on power and at the same time I think we will see coups even for democratically elected candidates and we have seen this in Egypt (North Africa and middle East nation though).

I think it's because of power hungry war lord and maniac militants, it's really hard to go back to democracy.

Yea, you are right, it's very very hard to go back to democracy again, as it has been already abused because most of our leaders seen military rule as the most effective in a way to rule us, and they are no longer interested to know the well being of their people, they do things for their own pleasure and we don't have any other choice than to just adhere to their order meanwhile democracy is not done that way.

[madawg]

Another question that could be asked is "can democracy really work?" due to it either eventually turning into plutocracy once the institutions/pillars of democracy are captured or despotism once ignorant rabble of masses elect demagogues or arrogant social planners to run the shitshow.


Less guberment and a better informed/educated (in the sense of reality and not fiction) is the best option ..."in my opinion" (disclaimer: but but but ..mainly the ignorant have opinions) Can't win really

[royalfestus]

Another question that could be asked is "can democracy really work?" due to it either eventually turning into plutocracy once the institutions/pillars of democracy are captured or despotism once ignorant rabble of masses elect demagogues or arrogant social planners to run the shitshow.


Less guberment and a better informed/educated (in the sense of reality and not fiction) is the best option ..."in my opinion" (disclaimer: but but but ..mainly the ignorant have opinions) Can't win really

Leadership in Africa remains largely unchanged, with leaders often making decisions arbitrarily. During colonial times, colonial powers incentivized local leaders to make decisions that facilitated slavery, and those who resisted were killed. Today's leaders, operating under a facade of democracy, are similarly self-serving. They enact laws that promote corruption, use the police for personal protection, and receive support from certain self-interested international governments that benefit from their regimes.

[tsaroz]

For democracy to really work, there should be a high degree of literacy and prosperity in the society. It's possible but hard for democracy to create a prosperous nation from a poor one. Most of the successful democracy now had some degree of autocracy that brought them prosperity that enabled them to create a working democracy.
Democracy doesn't work when the people are poor and uneducated. The political leader becomes corrupt and tries to keep the population in misery so that they can easily manipulate the vote either with money or with threat. They create fake enemies and fake events to deviate the focus of the population and their politics depends upon keeping the population in poverty.

[Hispo]

For democracy to really work, there should be a high degree of literacy and prosperity in the society. It's possible but hard for democracy to create a prosperous nation from a poor one. Most of the successful democracy now had some degree of autocracy that brought them prosperity that enabled them to create a working democracy.
Democracy doesn't work when the people are poor and uneducated. The political leader becomes corrupt and tries to keep the population in misery so that they can easily manipulate the vote either with money or with threat. They create fake enemies and fake events to deviate the focus of the population and their politics depends upon keeping the population in poverty.

I do not completely agree with your explanation on democracy and the conditions which are necessary for it to thrive in a country. It may be dependant rather on the historical context and the cultural context in which democracy is trying to exist in the long term.
Look as Germany for example, after the defeat of the First Reich, Germany became a very poor country (when compared to the European standards), inflation was so high people rathered to burn money instead using the money to buy lumber for the winter, among other horrible experiences.
Even though the situation of the Weimar Republic was dire and many people felt hopeless, it was a relatively good functioning democracy, the same democracy which allowed the National socialist party to climb onto power in the first place, from there all what followed was a dismantling of democracy and the building of good times for the german people, in detriment of foreigners and the Jewish people.

Democracy was exist in many situations and it is supposed to be the tool for the people to vote out bad leaders and keep those who are worthy of the position, if that does not happen, then democracy is being vulnerated or altered in some indirect way.

[BADecker]

Can democracy really work here in Africa


Democracy works great for the dictators. Why? Because people feel good... "I got to help select the leader I wanted by my vote."

All the leaders are Dictators. Some are good and some are bad. But Democracy works for them. And if the leader is a bad dictator, Democracy works against the people.

[Riginac111]

Democracy works and will continue to work in all part of the world, this is not a concern on Africa alone, but on the global effect, this is also more of a thing of politics and the people involved, if we really preached about politics, then we must know that its something all about freedom, we have to respect the peoples opinion in the adoption of democracy pattern of governance in other for everyone to be able to express their own interest.

for now I don't think that I like democratic leadership in my country precisely I think it that what will favor us is a military rule because the Democratic government has fed us in the sense that they are in hardship and the any of this leader is looking for the interest of the family not the interest of the citizen so I believe that a democratic government is not in favor of citizen

[Hopila]

Clamouring or even hoping that democracy can strive in Africa is like those who expect the coming of their Messiah Jesus Christ. If if ask me I will say that democracy has done more harm than good looking at the level of embezzlement, looting and all sort of hinious crime that that place in our society, it's what you have seen it good change that one will think of given room to thrive, if you check the previous oast record in Africa you will realize that democracy has been given enough time but no improvement but reducing the economy development of Africa.

It actually beats my imagination to see how you fell about democracy not  taking a positive twist in Africa.Because for me,I think democracy can actually work perfectly if  the elected leaders (politicians)are practicing democracy the right way without any form of dictatorship.

So for me democracy can actually work if it's been practice the right way.

[Dunamisx]

Democracy has been working and could actually continue working only if the people will allow for that to exist, we are the same ones that influences a change, makes demands on what we want and also support the leaders on every of their actions taken, in which in the order of leadership, democracy permits for general or public opinion in its way of leadership unlike the military rule.

[JMBitcointernational]

Democracy should be given a chance in order for it to work but in Africa mostly it's millitary rule and numerous coups to get on power and at the same time I think we will see coups even for democratically elected candidates and we have seen this in Egypt (North Africa and middle East nation though).

I think it's because of power hungry war lord and maniac militants, it's really hard to go back to democracy.

My dear mate i sincerely agree with you, in Africa the quest for power is quite alarming and virtually all the African leaders are very greedy and selfish, they don't have the interest of the citizens at heart and that's why we experience coup from time to time, they don't have respects for fundamental human rights and treat her citizens as animal and also deprive them of freedom. however, the chances of having a good democracy in Africa is very rare because African don't have sincere leaders and few sincere ones have been killed by the bad ones.

From experience and learning, i learnt that democracy is government of the people by the people and for the people, but in Africa the reverse is the case, because their leaders don't have even value the masses that voted them into different offices so democracy really cannot work perfectly in Africa because Africa is still a developing continent.