One-size-fits-all therapy is a utopia for achieving democratic governance

The term “Democracy” is often interpreted as the “Rule of the People, by the People, and for the People”. Therefore, democratic governance has to embrace such issues as popular participation, protection of personal freedom, accountability and fairness. This understanding cannot be contested by any serious thinking. However, in its application, the concept of “democracy” becomes highly contestable, given the wide diversity existing in different countries, regions and continents. In short, the world is not homogeneous. This being the case, the applicability of democratic governance has to be adapted to these varying circumstances. In this regard, it is not a surprise that we talk of western democracy, eastern democracy and even African democracy, among others, for good and objective reasons as presented hereunder.

Another area of contention is that of practicing personal freedom in varying geographic and social contexts. It is true that personal freedom is a basic human right. But there is nothing like complete or borderless freedom. Freedom has to be guided by institutional and legal frameworks, coupled with attendant regulations, as well as by the circumstances prevailing at that particular moment in time. For example, personal freedom may be constraint by either wars or pandemics or both. One needs to recall that, the public demand for complete, immediate and untrammelled personal freedom in the USA, during the ongoing pandemic, has resulted in relatively high death rates in that country. This shows clearly that in demanding cum practising personal freedom, countries should avoid emulating the American way, which is characterized by self-centeredness, short-sightedness and irresponsibility. Indeed, the adoption of a variety of measures by a number of countries, including the USA, to prevent the infections and transmission of Covid-19 should not have been taken as encroachment on personal freedom, but as necessary public health lifesaving actions.

While keeping the above precautions in mind, the operationalization of the concept of democratic governance in the African context demands that the leadership, in consultation with the people, should, first and foremost, identify the daunting challenges in the continent, which have delayed Africa’s socio-economic development when compared to its peers in Asia, including China. These challenges are basically three: poverty, inferior education and the weak public health system. This being the case, any political system which is seriously committed to addressing these challenges, and whereby the rulers and the ruled are constantly in consultation with each other, through clearly stipulated and effective accountability frameworks, should be considered as democratic. Therefore, pointing the finger at other countries with regard to deficiencies in democracy or civic liberties is uncalled for. It thus requires an in-depth analysis of the existing situations or circumstances, rather than a subjective comparison with other countries.

One-size-fits-all therapy is a utopia for achieving democratic governance

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