By Matt. G.
It is not surprising that there are many who feel that democracy will never work in Africa. There is a lot of evidence to support this claim. Look at the countless countries who, after independence from the west, set forth with such high democratic or socialist goals just to meet severe disappointment less than a decade later. There are some who feel Africa is just not ready for successful sustainable democracy. Some place the blame on the fact that western, or liberal democracy, was not developed to suit the conditions of Africa. Noted Nigerian born sociologist said that Western style liberal democracy could not work in Africa because it is a, “society which is still pre-industrial and communal and whose cultural idiom is radically different [from the West].”(Ake 239) While I agree that it would be foolish to simply take western models of democracy and paste them over African countries, I believe that some type of democracy is in the best interest of African people in the present and in the future.
I do not buy the argument that democracy will not work in Africa because the society is not ready. First, democracy does seem to be at least burgeoning in several Sub-Saharan African states like Ghana or South Africa. While possibly an oversimplification, I agree in spirit with the claim, “A country does not have to be deemed fit for democracy; rather, it has to become fit through democracy.”(Sen 4) It is true, some states are more resistant than others to successful democracy, but failures in the past and difficulty in the future should not be a legitimate cause to drop the entire movement. It was not democracy that has failed in Africa, but the states that claimed to be reaching for it. A combination of inept leadership and poor structure has, “turned the high expectations of the independence movement into painful disappointment.”(Ake 240)
One of the other arguments against democracy in Africa is that the people would have to pay too high an economic price for the eventual promise of a more free and open society. This is the argument leaders like Yoweri Museveni have used to defend against those who believe that governments need to further democratize. Unfortunately this is a relatively common belief among Africa’s “New Leaders.” Though not as visibly autocratic and ruthless as earlier post-independence leaders like Zaire’s Mobutu Sese Seko, this new breed of African leadership seems no less interested in long term democratic reform that does anything but support their own bid for power.(Richburg 131)
These “New Leaders” appear to, “all subscribe to the notion that economic development precedes democracy, and reject the view that democratization and development are mutually supportive processes that occur at roughly the same time.”(Gordon 123) This is a false belief being put forward by rulers only interested in maintaining their own power. The actual truth is that “In Africa, the return to economic growth has been inextricably linked to political reform.”(Gordon 125) While this can not be claimed true in all situations, like that of Museveni’s economically successful “no-party” Uganda, it is an overall trend.
I do not doubt that Museveni has pursued successful economic policies during his tenure as the leader of Uganda, but what is to stop him from reversing his policies at whim? It was not so long ago that the Robert Mugabe sent a relatively successful Zimbabwe into economic free fall. Museveni’s recent arrest of his strongest political adversary does not convince me that his liberal economic policies truly reflect a support for Western ideals of a free and open society.(Lacey)
While I understand that opening the democratic process to more free and fair competition brings with it the fear of greater instability, lack of openness eliminates the protective qualities of democracy. It is clear that, “political and civil rights give people the opportunity to draw attention forcefully to general needs and to demands appropriate public actions.“(Sen 7) One compelling fact is that, “in the terrible history of famines in the world, no substantial famine has ever occurred in any independent and democratic country with a relatively free press.”(Sen 7) Where else in the world would the ability to resist famine be more applicable than Africa with the long going famine in Sudan and the recent famine in Niger.
Democracy does not only protect against famine or promote economic growth, but protects human rights as well. While human rights may mean different things to Africans it is not some Western ideal, human rights are an international goal. While democracy does not automatically mean there will be a respect for human rights, there are some long democratic countries in Africa with poor human rights records, it would seem that human rights are a goal only reached through democracy.(Aidoo 705) Akwasi Aidoo states it clearly when she says, “the full range of human rights cannot be guaranteed unless they are specifically promoted and protected in law and by popular organizations.“(707)
While I know that there are further criticisms of the viability of democracy in Africa, they are all of the same ilk. While democracy may have been born in the West, it is not limited in scope to Western civilization. African states need accountable, law based, and free states if they ever hope to improve not just the economy, but the lives of their peoples. But these governments can not be manufactured from the outside. Africa needs domestically created democratic governments better fit to the social and economic needs specific to African nations. Hard times are probably ahead for Africa, but letting go of democracy will only maintain the status quo of underdevelopment, famine, and human rights abuse in Africa.
Works Cited
Ake, Claude. “The Unique Case of African Democracy.” International Affairs. Vol. 69, No.2 (1993): 239-244.
Sen, Amartya. “Democracy as a Universal Value.” The Global Divergence of Democracies. Eds. Larry Diamond and Marc F. Plattner. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2001. 3-17.
Richburg, Keith B. “Africa’s Rulers Do Not Support Democracy.” Africa: Opposing Viewpoints. Ed. William Dudley. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2000. 130-136.
Gordon, David. “Africa is Moving Toward Democracy.” Africa: Opposing Viewpoints. Ed. William Dudley. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2000. 119-129.
Aidoo, Akwasi. “Africa: Democracy Without Human Rights?” Human Rights Quarterly. Vol. 15, No. 4 (1993): 703-715.
Lacey, Marc. “Uganda: Opposition Leader Sent to Court-Martial.” The New York Times. November 26, 2005. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940CE1D91731F935A15752C1A9639C8B63 (December 1, 2005).
21 comments:
Great Blog Matt. Thought you might like to read the CSM article on Africa -- very interesting.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/1206/p09s01-coop.html?s=hns
"It's called a Visit to Nigeria teaches a lesson in abundance"
Another article that I thought relevant to the discussion from the CSM: "One Kenyan man's mission: free Africa from yoke of aid"
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/1202/p01s02-woaf.html?s=hns
Matt G,
Nicely written. I agree with you completely. I don't think it's beneficial for Africa to drop the idea of democracy. You make a good point that not all African nations are capable of handling democracy, these nations need time to develope to the point where their fellow, further along African nations, such as Ghana are first, then worry about democracy. I think that there are different forms of democracy or semi-democracy that might work better for Africa, after all, the West can't even make democracy work perfectly...
I think the solution to all of Africa's problems, corruption, famine, genocide etc. lies in public unification and mutual understanding of each others wants and needs. Once this unity is established, not by old colonial legacy, but by true mutual recognition of each other, then true, efficient government will gradually build. The West certainly can't make this happen or make a stable government that will independently prevail. I think a clear example of how a setup government will fail will be Iraq. the The idea that an outsider can come in and make a government run by an uneducated general public is outrageous......we'll all see what happens on that front.
Democracy is not the disaster, it's the eventual answer. It just needs time.
Matt Colip,
I agree, unfortunatly while all nations could benifit from democracy, not all seem to be equally capable of creating and sustaining it. That being said, i am wary of the kind of "baby step" policy where the government slowly reforms over time as the society can accept more democracy. It is a good idea, but the problem ends up being that any system is great for those is power, and those in power are the ones who can most easily change or resist change, so what insentive do they have to change anything.
But on the flip side, you are completely right, African states needs to develope democratic institutions that best suit there local situations and needs. What i worry will happen is that this will go overboard as it has in the past. The part of the drive for African socialism was that capitalism was seen as a part of the West, a West which colonized and victemized Africa. I think some thinkers go to far in attacking democracy as a Western idea, and any democracy that they want should be entirely African. I think it should be Africa focused, but also take in the lessons the West learned about seperation of power, constitutions, etc.
And to you last point, yes, democracy has been, and will often be, a disaster. But is the disaster of democracy that much worse than a stable ruthless regime? Many democratic leaning governments will rise and fall before there are most stable democracies in sub-Saharan Africa, lets just hope it doesn't take too many.
Democracy seems to be a great thing that appeals to many. Yes. I wish all African countries were democratic. The truth of the matter is this, democracy makes too promises it cannot keep. Notions like free speech and a better life for all are idealist ideologies that constitute the foundation for democracy. The question I will like to ask is this how many democratic countries can honestly declare that all their citizens have been guaranteed the right of free speech and a better quality of life. Democracies in the past have failed. Take for example the Athenians whose model of democracy todays is loosely built upon. Their civilization died a horrible death. What is the guarantee that democracy in Africa, and in the world for that matter will be supported long enough for Africa to reap its benefit?
Okomfo,
You are defiantly not alone in thinking that democracy is either too unstable or not successful at achieving its own aims. Democracy isn't perfect, and there are democratic states with poor human rights records. I think what is important to remember here is it is not what democracy guarantees that is so important, it is what it allows. No democracy will just give you freedom and equality, but it can allow it. How many dictatorships or authoritarian regimes can make the same claim? And the failures of democracy in the past is exactly what I think African nations should be focusing on, but in a proactive way. Athens was a highly problematic democracy where faction and unequal representation were ultimately contributed to its downfall. I think it comes down to the fact that some form of democracy is the best of the worst. Give me another system of government that has done more for its peoples in recent times.
Matt, what about the people who say democracy is an expensive and messy form of govenment. Maybe too messy & expensive for nations who are struggling just to get by. How does the african tradition of taking care of family & tribe first fit with the democratic ideals.
Graet artical!
As to your first question, I will look at it in two parts. First, if we are referring to democracy as being expensive in a monetary fashion, I am not sure I would agree. While democracy may be heavily bureaucratic, i do not think it is any more so than other forms of government. At least in a well formed democracy you usually have better systems in place to stem corruption and the misappropriation of funds. If you mean it is to expensive in a humanitarian way, like it would cause too much suffering for theoretical benefits like greater freedom, i would disagree with that as well. In many African countries where poverty and hunger are totally crippling the state anyway, I feel like it would be hard to form a worse government. The reason i am such a big proponent of democracy in Africa is that for the most part democracy is more attentive to the needs of its people. You could point to the recent tragedy in New Orleans, but at least people are getting hammered for poor reaction in senate hearings and on the news. Though it may not help with immediate growth, i feel like democracy would still do a better job of addressing issues that are important to the African people instead of avoiding them or silencing people who speak out.
As to your second question, that is a difficult one. One of the most common theme among critics of democracy is that Africa has a social system not necessarily compatible with Western style democracy. I do not think that democracy wouldn't work because of this, but i do think that democracy needs to adapt to the issues of the states where it is being instituted. But i also feel that part of the reason why there is such a reliance on tribe and family is in the past that is who you could really count on and benefit from. If African states were able to establish themselves and provide needed services to their peoples, i feel like there would be at least a partial shift in loyalty. Beyond that, i think states needs to stop fearing ethnicity and using this as a reason to have one-party states. It will be a difficult task, but African states need to find a way to incorporate and except the various ethnic groups within their boarders. If everyone had an equal say, i think maybe that would at least start to chip away at some of the antagonistic atmosphere.
Matt g,
"I think what is important to remember here is it is not what democracy guarantees that is so important, it is what it allows."-- I completely agree with this statement. A democracy cannot guarantee anything, but it does give people a chance. The bottom line on whether a democracy will work is based on how laws are applied and enforced. The rule of law is an important aspect of a democracy; it can make or break it. Until African governments can set up efficient judicial systems, the hopes for democracies to "guarantee" anything is minimal. African leaders need to stop living above the law. When the law is enforced, African people will be able to use their rights under a democracy such as freedom of speech.
Democracy is the answer to Africa's problems. Not only does the rule of law need to be upheld to make a democracy work, the people need to understand what a democracy will bring them. The people need to be educated as to why a democracy is better for them, and they need to understand that a functional democracy cannot happen overnight. They must not get frustrated when things go wrong and be patient.
Africans need to set the foundations of a democracy without the international community convening. Only if they want assistance should they ask for it. It is important, however, that the international community educate the African people about the benefits of a democracy and how it works. Then Africans can use this information for the framework of building their own democracy.
--Kristy G
Part of me thinks that if we "educate" African nations about the benefits of a democracy and tell them that it will take a long time and their are no guarantees at the end of the road, no nation will follow the necessary path to success. The reason many African nations now have followed some path to a semi-democracies is because of the guarantees spouted by the leaders that are never carried out and if that promise is taken away, many supports will walk. Maybe this won't happen, but if I was in the situation many Africans are in, I would want a guarantee or some sort of positive, reasonably immediate goal to look forward to. Many African's have to deal with a lot of life struggles that we don't have to deal with. They only have so much energy to deal out and look for worthwhile goals to allocate their energy out side of their family and survival. I think free speech, constitutions and law are essential for all nations and could be implemented rather quickly with good leaders. These steps should be written first, before the transition to full democracy is even thought of. Obviously, some nations are further along than others with this process. I'm anxious to see what the next 50 years will bring to every nation, including ours.
Kristy,
I totally agree with you in regards to African countries needing sound judicial systems and not allowing the elites to live clearly above the law. When the leaders don't have to live by the same rules as those ruled, it not only hurts the legitimacy of the government but also often leads to economic or humanitarian disasters. I guess the problem really becomes how do you tell people what type of government they should have. Agree that the West should take a very hands off approach to democracy in Africa, encouraging but not cajoling. I hope that governments like Ghana can continue to develop as functioning democracy to provide continental, if not regional, examples of successful democracy and show substantive gains democracy can have for people.
I have to admit that I am very sceptical about the idea that any form of political system or ideology would be suitable for Africa. I often wonder whether Africa's problems do not rather lie within deeply flawed cultures, or rather, conflicting cultures. Of course, keeping such cultures at conflict would be beneficial to certain drug-, mineral- and arms smugglers.
At best I would say that democratically elected, autonomous, homogeneous states is probably the only hope that Africa has. Of course, achieving such democratically elected, autonomous, homogeneous states is nearly a case of impossibility (due to the fact that war is just too profitable). And, of course, some politicians would read "homogeneous" as "kill those who oppose my rule". (ehem - Mugabe)
Even the glorified South Africa has it's typical "Africa problems" such as corruption, crime, gruesome genocide-type murders / ethnic cleansing.
In respect to the ongoing arguement as to what form of democracy suits Africa best, I don't believe you see the big picture.
Democracy today revolves around a capitalist system. Economic stress implied by this "get rich quick" strategy ultimatly decides the bad choices that plague Africa's dismal history.
Instead we must encourage simple entreprenurialism at a grass-roots level, stimulate the minds so they can be creative and find alternative income.
Socialism would also work well, centralizing ressources that are scarce is a much better idea than trying to divide support among the masses.
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I think any country or continent has better chances of success if the solutions come from within. Democracy is not an African idea and this idea is somehow being imposed on the African continent by European nations though media and other forms. The question is whose interests does democracy serve in Africa. Remember that the same people who are fighting to bring democracy day in and day out in Africa are the same people who yesterday demonstrated the highest form of human rights abuses in the same continent and today Africa should just believe that they have developed a good heart for the citizens of Africa. If you study history the African culture does not promote this culture of freedom of speech, there is no democracy in a family infant there is a hierarchy. It's not the freedom of speech that matters, but development. Some countries claim to have freedom of speech but who listens when the ordinary people speak? The people of America opposed the Iraq war but did the democratic government listen no, United Nations opposed Americas attack but did the democratic nation listen to the United Nations body no, I think sometimes democracy is becoming more of propaganda than a positive movement
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