THE AFRICAN DEMOCRACY

Generally, democracy is understood as the government of the people for the people and by the people. This is to say that however sophisticated or illiterate the leaders may be, they are to work for the people. In some democratic countries leaders are elected through the secrets ballot and as far as it is 50+1 all are to adhere to the voice of the majority. 

Rene Descartes, father of modern philosophy once said that his doubt was proof of his existence. In my case, I have a doubt with democracy and more especially in Africa as a continent. First, the majority who engages in this process of 50+1 do it blindly. This notion of blindness is not limited to Africans but the who world at large. As far as my exercise to democracy is a concern, in African democracy is always associated with Tribes or party affiliations. No one cares about the eligibility of the candidates. In other Continents, majority follow the crowd. This happens when the parties campaign uses the opinion poll companies. This is a clear indication that in most of the times democracy is not based on reason. In other words, many participants do it unwillingly and unknowingly. Ethically speaking, you cannot be held responsible of such choices that are done without one’s consent. As a result, a majority have to suffer silently as the big fish enjoy in their territories. 

One of the benefits of democracy is that the citizens enjoy the freedom of speech. In most of the countries in Africa, this is a nightmare. How many times Africans and other countries have experienced the toucher from the top leaders? Journalists fall in the front line followed by those who fight for justice. The military in most cases is used to defend the President even when he is guilty. In a democratic country, peaceful demonstrations are allowed but this rarely happens in Africa. The police are used by top leaders in order to silence the citizens. Should we still hold that there is democracy in Africa? If democracy exists in Africa it has to be in a theoretical manner but not practically. 

Socrates, one of the most founding fathers in Athens had a similar doubt. This is vividly seen in book 6 of Plato's dialogues. He stated categorically that the voters in most of the time are filled with foolishness. This is because there is no light shed on them so as to know on how to face the music. In other words, the voters are subjected to blind will. Academically it will fit if we term this as intellectual nonsense is due to this nonsense that even after educating the youth majority ruled that he was corrupting them and as a result, he was put to death. Is this not what is happening in our contemporary world? Democracy has expired and it is the early time to embrace monarchy or another functioning system.