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A democratic system is compatible with economic development. The most obvious example of this is the liberal democracy in the USA. The private stakes push the competition into economic cooperation. Therefore, everybody is lucky enough to be an economic actor. In sub-Saharan Africa, goods are not produced in order to export and private initiatives are not encouraged. So, I think that the USA must play a key role in the enticement of African nations to the production of consumer goods.
Many governments in Africa are dependent on industrialized countries instead of being free, like the democratic system would suggest. The organizing principle of a democratic system is the nation's sovereignty. For that reason, the only legitimate authority comes from the masses.
Democracy must plead the case of freedom and equality. However, it has also become a means to achieve these aims. In connection with that, we can assert that democracy must include the expression of liberty, the respect of citizens’ rights and economic expansion, which includes immigrant families living in the suburbs outside France’s cities.
In other words, democracy corresponds to the efficiency of the political practices of the government. The state must promote the well-being of its citizens. Therefore, it should make unanimous decisions for the common good. Unfortunately, though, the state's resources are restricted for the benefit of a few people. Thus, the rich always become richer, and the poor poorer. This is why the economic situation is disastrous. Under these circumstances, is it possible to encourage democracy in Africa without the help of the USA? Yes, I think so.
All social and economic life is political. Thus, democracy is a difficult system of government to institute and maintain in newly independent countries. Although democracy is useful in getting out of dictatorial systems, single party rule remains afterwards in most African states.
It is true that political leaders can't afford to have an opposition party. All work together during the general elections, and the vote is boycotted. Some presidents amend the constitution to canvass a new mandate even if the masses disapprove of their political practice. That is the reason why soldiers overthrow the government in most African countries. Since 1960 there have been a lot of military coups in Africa. Promises of a golden age have not come true; instead we see little improvement in the life of the masses. So elections alone don't equal democracy in Africa or anywhere else: people vote, but real reform mostly remains a dream.
Africa can’t develop in these conditions. Recently, Gabon, for example, has been troubled by attempted assassinations, civil disturbance and corruption in the government. Wealth is unevenly distributed and contracts in the global economic market are unfair to African countries. The United Nations Organization has the duty to protect peace in the world and in Africa.
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Writer Profile
ondo Marina
Ondo Marina is a native of Gabon. She is a doctor of letters at the University of Lyon, and is fascinated by poetry and art. She is also worried about the various crises which shake the world. She deeply wishes that people and customs would change, evolve towards an ethics that looked upon others, towards a sense of sharing, of solidarity, and towards more humanism.
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Comments
Is democracy alive and well? Henry Ekwuruke | Oct 14th, 2009
Ofcourse Ondo Marina, elections alone don't equal democracy in Africa or anywhere else, particularly in Nigeria where people vote and their mandates are clearly stolen on broad day lights and then our economic, cultural and social systems suffer drastically for it. Then real reform mostly remains a dream in our rich environment where jobs are increasingly wanted by young Nigerians and Africans. We must stand up for change, change for true democracy and then change for productivity!
POLITICIANS ARE ON THE WRONG SIDE OF HISTORY VIA DEMOCRACY OCEN GODWIN | Oct 19th, 2009
When you define democracy and link it towards Africa then you might be counted off road.This is so because African leaders do not almost have policy for their country apart being pest of democracy and they are not from far away from Bamboos in mountains,elections people heard of is just to feed the ""ears"".However their days are almost landing in a hot plate(for the LEADERS WHO CLING TO POWER BY DECEIT AND CORRUPTION ARE ON THE WRONG SIDE OF HISTORY)we shall identify their root democratically.
A GLIMPSE FROM THE EYES OF A MOTSWANA(BOTSWANA-SAUTHREN AFRICA) eitlhopha tshimo | Oct 21st, 2009
democracy is gradually degrading in africa especially what is happening in southren africa these days.people dont stay in power because of votes but they refuse to leave office and then a unity government is established which never works be cause somebody is going to be forced to submit to a tyrant who refuses to loose elections.
but in my country its a different case because the opposition is refusing to mature hence granting the ruling party a free ride in the elections,its not that we dont want change but we just cant find the right party to change to.its a pity all the opposition does is fight amonst themselves instead of fighting a comon enermy
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