POLITICAL CHALLENGES
To begin with, there is the lack of credible opposition: in a democratic system, the is regular elections which brings change in government, and so one big challenge is the absence or under functioning of strong opposition that will put the government of the day on its toes or to challenge policies that may not be credible. There is the absence of alternative policy programme choices required by electorate, zero–sum struggle for power. In some countries for instance Ghana, there are strong oppositions alright but due to the majority, the ruling party is always right and even due to the political nature of our system, Also, due to the political nature of our governance, the opposition always criticize the policies of the government either good or bad.
Secondly, there is lack of regime change: one the most contributing factor to conflicts amongst African states is the quest for political power. We all know that in a democratic society, there is mutual agreements and cordial relations but here lies the case where the turner of office of some political leaders gets over but do not want to leave power. In most countries in Africa, leaders or heads of state could stay on the seat against the dictates of democracy as long as they want. And the worst about it is that, when they are old and can no more rule, they would want their children to succeed them
Moreover, there is no separation between state and ruling party: ruling parties dominate and manipulates the political process; constitutions are regularly amended to retain power, state resources are ostensibly used to advice the interest of the ruling party; state security forces are used to coerce citizens and opposition groups. Typical example is what normally happen in Ghana when there is change in government; the party faithful’s since it‘s their party that is in power can take the laws into their hands and do whatever they like since their government will protect them.
There is nonetheless a hollow symbolism: While liberal democracy is symbolically based on citizen rule, the making of key decisions, especially in the area of economic reform policies, is insulated from proper involvement. A typical example is the recent “military based system” saga in Ghana; should the mantle be given to everyone to make a decision on this issue, I’m very sure most people would be against it but since it is the big wigs of the nation that take the decision, they can take any decision that would favour them but maybe a detriment to the electorates.
ECONOMIC CHALLENGES
Democracy opens an opportunity for corrupt officials: elected politicians will have access to budgets for government projects. By having this privilege, there is a possibility that some officials will be tempted to use the money for their personal interest. Moreover, politicians who have supporters and friends who make contributions for election campaigns might feel indebted to these people and might give these so called cronies favours in the future.
Delay in decision making: Democracy is seen as a system of government in which everyone’s views are taken into account. For this matter, when a decision is promptly needed, everyone must bring his view before the final decision is taken, and this would delay the decision unlike in an autocratic situation one person could just take the decision quickly. Even in the case of representative democracy, sometimes one group will be in favour of a decision whilst others will be strongly opposing it thereby delaying the final decision.
Furthermore, there is weak economy: we all know that the stand point of every nation is how good or strong the economy is. The economy has to be strong enough to be able to produce and provide most of the goods and services to the citizens and depend less on foreign aids or even imports. When this is in place, it makes the electorates well-resourced which also enables them to exercise their democratic rights effectively and efficiently. But when resources are so scares, the citizens are forced to abandon the democratic process. Their votes can be bought which may be a wrong choice but they have no option since they are been given some tokens. Moreover, a week economy also brings about external pressure i.e foreign economies or nations would be dictating to them since they always go for help from them.
Conclusion
This presentation explores the challenges of democracy in Africa. The paper takes stock of two things. First it explores broadly the discourses on the problems of adopting liberal democracy in Africa. It is argued that liberal democracy has inherent requirements that make it difficult to be adopted, without some customizations in less developed countries. The script demonstrates the contradictions of donor double standards in advocating democracy in Africa. An interesting question emerges from all this: Must countries adopt liberal democracy to develop?
Before we bring out the challenges of democracy, we would have to first know what democracy is about.
Democracy is a system of government in which everyone‘s vies are taking into account in the decision making process. And according to Abraham Lincoln, democracy is government of the people, for the people and by the people. This implies that in a democratic environment, it is what the people say or want that is taken. They choose their leaders to make laws and policies to make things function effectively and also what will coordinate their activities.
But for Africa, democracy has been just a theory instead of a practice due to various reasons, therefor this script is presenting on the challenges of democracy in Africa.
This challenges can be divided into political challenges and economic challenges
POLITICAL CHALLENGES
To begin with, there is the lack of credible opposition: in a democratic system, the is regular elections which brings change in government, and so one big challenge is the absence or under functioning of strong opposition that will put the government of the day on its toes or to challenge policies that may not be credible. There is the absence of alternative policy programme choices required by electorate, zero–sum struggle for power. In some countries for instance Ghana, there are strong oppositions alright but due to the majority, the ruling party is always right and even due to the political nature of our system, Also, due to the political nature of our governance, the opposition always criticize the policies of the government either good or bad.
Secondly, there is lack of regime change: one the most contributing factor to conflicts amongst African states is the quest for political power. We all know that in a democratic society, there is mutual agreements and cordial relations but here lies the case where the turner of office of some political leaders gets over but do not want to leave power. In most countries in Africa, leaders or heads of state could stay on the seat against the dictates of democracy as long as they want. And the worst about it is that, when they are old and can no more rule, they would want their children to succeed them
Moreover, there is no separation between state and ruling party: ruling parties dominate and manipulates the political process; constitutions are regularly amended to retain power, state resources are ostensibly used to advice the interest of the ruling party; state security forces are used to coerce citizens and opposition groups. Typical example is what normally happen in Ghana when there is change in government; the party faithful’s since it‘s their party that is in power can take the laws into their hands and do whatever they like since their government will protect them.
There is nonetheless a hollow symbolism: While liberal democracy is symbolically based on citizen rule, the making of key decisions, especially in the area of economic reform policies, is insulated from proper involvement. A typical example is the recent “military based system” saga in Ghana; should the mantle be given to everyone to make a decision on this issue, I’m very sure most people would be against it but since it is the big wigs of the nation that take the decision, they can take any decision that would favour them but maybe a detriment to the electorates.
SOLUTION
Before we bring out the challenges of democracy, we would have to first know what democracy is about.
Democracy is a system of government in which everyone‘s vies are taking into account in the decision making process. And according to Abraham Lincoln, democracy is government of the people, for the people and by the people. This implies that in a democratic environment, it is what the people say or want that is taken. They choose their leaders to make laws and policies to make things function effectively and also what will coordinate their activities.
But for Africa, democracy has been just a theory instead of a practice due to various reasons, therefor this script is presenting on the challenges of democracy in Africa.
This challenges can be divided into political challenges and economic challenges
