On African-style democracy and why it already exists
Inclusion by African governements
(c) Brian Farenell
11 September 1999
How can the process of development in Africa be improved? There are lots of steps that could be undertaken by the African political elite (without even mentioning the international community). Above all is inclusion. Wars are often caused by the bad management of resources. Corruption, greed and the simple desire of leaders to maintain their own power by any means necessary. These are the causes of the bad governance and underdevelopment. The simplest and most powerful remedy to this disease is inclusion.
When people speak of democratization, they often think of a particular form of governement, of certain structures. This train of thought is too narrow. Ultimately, democratization is the inclusion of everbody. It's where everyone can make their voice heard. At the level of the village and the community, African socities, in general, are built upon consensus. Yet, the majority of African governements are based upon the principle of exclusion: he who is not with me is against not only me but the nation.
One talks of democracy `African style.' But governements need to practice inclusion like it's practiced in society. The continent does not need to import democracy nor make it `more African'. African-style democracy already exists among the people. It's the great hidden secret of the continent.
Members of the opposition are neither more nor less patriotic than members of the governing party. They have neither more nor less to contribute to the national debate. In a democracy, just like in a healthy society, the majority rules but the minority is not excluded, especially in societies of consensus like those of Africa. No country has the luxury to disregard the knowledge, the work and the talents of the substantial minority of the population which constitutes the `opposition.' A way to achieve this inclusion would be to professionalize the public services of Africa. It's a subject I will address shortly.
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Page updated: 11 September '99, 0955 EDT
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