adminMarobe Wama Correspondent
Abraham Lincoln defined democracy as “The government of the people by the people for the people.” By this, Lincoln emphasises the need for people to take charge of matters that determine their destiny and suggests a direct link between government and the people. In the book, The End of Poverty, Jeffrey Sachs articulates that democracy is a prerequisite for economic development. This is because a regime that is despotic, arbitrary, and lawless can easily destroy development.
In the African context, while democracy remains a crucial aspect for development, it is not only democracy that will guarantee development. Well-organised and technically skilled authoritarian governments — such as South Korea or Chile — could generate more rapid economic growth than democracies.
Authoritarian governments in China, Cuba, and Singapore have provided better healthcare and greater educational opportunities, especially for the poor than their democratic counterparts, to use Howard Handelman words. Adeolu Oyekan generally observes; “Although no society truly desirous of development can ignore democracy, the democratic experiences in many of the third world countries leaves a huge gulf between the anticipated gains of democracy and the reality on ground.”
Africa has a long way to go for democracy to guarantee development. African citizens should enjoy their fundamental rights of making their rulers accountable and answerable for their actions and policies. Such leaders will pursue popular development policies in favour of their citizens.
Most political elites (particularly presidents) see power as their birthright. This is why it is improbable for African leaders who lose in polls to accept the outcome and peacefully relinquish power. This takes us back to France when King Louis XIV declared what Paul Biya at one a point is reported to have said; “Je suis l’Etat et l’Etat c’est moi” (I am the state and the state is me). Popular acceptance makes the government strong. Leaders should remember Zahir Fares’ advice that “Democracy is not the exercise of power, it is rather its limitation.”
How democracy can guarantee development
First, citizens should be allowed to hold the final power to make and implement policies that affect their lives through their representatives.
Second, good governance should accompany democracy. This will ensure the existence of democratic norms accepted and nurtured by citizens and their government.
The government has to be close to its people by involving citizens in the development and implementation of policies and programmes that affect them. Therefore the rule of law, inclusivity, accountability, transparency, meritocracy, protection of human rights and freedoms and end of corruption, should be the norms.
Third, since development is multi-dimensional and starts from the individual, communities and the nation, we need; “A social democracy that places emphasis on concrete political, social and economic rights, as opposed to a liberal democracy that emphasizes abstract political rights,” to use Ake’s words.
Fourth, clear separation of powers between government organs. Power concentration and centralization is a common place in Africa and thus it is difficult to categorically state the difference between the executive, legislature and judiciary.
Fifth, democracy should be accompanied by all its essentials — plurality, regular, free and fair elections, checks and balances, independence of the judiciary, rule of law, accountability, transparency, among others, that provide a high possibility of guaranteeing development. This is because such democracy creates multiple power centers—where power is shared for the interest of the masses. Thus everyone in a position of authority is likely to operate in accordance with the law hence development can easily take place.
Why democracy may not guarantee development
Democracy needs to be part of a culture that allows people to have their own self-determination in accordance with their values. However, the current democracy in Africa has been imposed from outside. Therefore no matter its good intentions, some leaders see liberal democracy as an extension of western superiority over Africans. If democracy is imported, it disregards local realities and is partial and disjointed.
That is why the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere argued that; “Pre-packaged, Coca-Cola democracy cannot help Africa.” Once democracy lacks ownership, it is difficult to guarantee development. In developing countries, democracy is a rubber-stamp of the political elites to manipulate whatever they can in their favour. The new democracy must be supplemented with, and strengthened by, popular institutions, popular participation, civil society, the private sector, local governments, trade unions, media, and religious groups, among others. — African Executive.
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