Will It Be Possible for more African Nations to Transition to Democracy - Essay Example

? Will it be possible for more African nations to transition to democracy? As many itarian regimes face challenges in the African continent today, a fundamental question remains as to whether more African countries will be able to transit to democracy. Not all African nations lack democracy; however, most of the African nations have demonstrated poor or lack of democracy. These can be seen through personal dictatorships, one-party systems and military regimes. This paper will examine the barriers to democratic transition in African countries. Secondly, the paper will explore how African countries can overcome these difficulties. Lastly, the paper will focus on South Africa as a country that has moved towards democratic transition. Will it be possible for more African nations to transition to democracy? Why it is incredibly difficult for African nations to democratic transition According to Riley (1991), African nations can adopt democracy as most western countries such as the United States have adopted. However, the transition to democracy is incredibly a difficult task, which requires many changes in hindrances to democratic transition. There are several policies that need to be adopted by most African nations in order to enhance their chances for a democratic transition. South Africa is one of the African nations that have demonstrated a successful democratic transition through overcoming the barriers of such a transition. There are several barriers that prevent the African nations from having a successful democratic transition. First, there has been the lack of democratic culture in many African nations. There is an African culture that allows a single chief who cannot be challenged throughout the history of African leadership. Such a tradition has passed across generations and is a barrier to democratic transition (Bates, 1995). In addition, in many African nations, the sense of a democratic majority is expressed by a single party system and a need for unity among ethnic, cultural and linguistic groups. Such an idea leads to conflicts among various tribes and cultures. The other barrier to successful democratic transition includes the underdeveloped economies in many African nations. Democracy is expensive since it requires the establishment of institutions that deal with problems such as corruption, poor governance, and dictatorship. The institutions of democratic government and civil society are weak in many countries; this makes the transition to democracy a substantial challenge. Being underdeveloped, most of the African countries cannot support the establishment of democratic institutions (Bates, 1995). Riley (1991) asserts that unstable societies can be regarded as a barrier to democratic transition in many African nations, which has resulted from wars and violence. Some African countries such as Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Kenya, and Rwanda have experienced tribal or civil wars. For a successful democratic transition, there must be a stable society that focuses on the development. The effects of wars tend to be tremendous both economically and socially. Economic and social inequalities tend to undermine one’s capacity to participate in public discourses that may lead to significant changes in life. The violation of human rights in many African countries also hinders the transition to governance. In these countries, human rights are not given a priority; there are many cases of child abuse, rape, killings and even slavery and other human rights violations (Nzongola-Ntalaja & Lee, 1997). In such a state, it is almost impossible to have a successful transition to democracy. Poor education system in many African countries is also a barrier to democratic transition. In countries where there is democracy, such as United States, education systems aim at producing scholars who are capable of criticizing the lack of democracy. Poor education results to low earning and low standards of living. Consequently, income inequality may undermine democratic institutions and eventually lead to their collapse. Lack of technological advancement is also a hindrance to democracy in African nations. A country with poor technology cannot sustain democracy since information is not spread uniformly (Bates, 1995). Technology plays a vital role in ensuring a successful democratic transition. How African nations can overcome the difficulties For any country to achieve democracy, power should shift from military or authoritarian rulers to leaders who are sensitive and representative of the diverse tribal or ethnic groups in the African societies. The leaders must be focused and ready to protect the civil rights. They should also advocate for the establishment of modes of governance and political accountability that can sustain democracy. In addition, the elected leaders should have the capability to hold public offices and be accountable for their actions. In many democratic countries, political leaders have taken responsibility of their actions through resignation from public offices when accused of a wrongful act. In short, there are three factors necessary for democracy to prevail, and they include political accountability, protection of civil rights and agreeable mode of governance (Nzongola-Ntalaja & Lee, 1997). There are also policies that have to be changed to have a successful democratic transition. As mentioned above, leadership is one of the key determinants of democracy. The ability of leaders to deliver democracy should be considered before electing them to public offices. A leader should be specific in their goals, time frame, procedural steps as well as the overall steps to achieve their intended goals. The issue of removal of dictators from power is not that relevant; what is necessary is the ability of the new leaders to restore democracy. Some African nations have witnessed the overthrowing of dictators who may be replaced by leaders who are also dictators. According to Boraine (2001), the other policy that should be introduced is democratic institutions. Democratic institutions are vital to a democratic transition in any country. Governments in African nations should aim at changing the public mentalities about democracy. The literacy level in most African countries is low. The public needs to be educated on democracy and the advantages of having a democratic transition. Three things can be regarded as crucial to attain democratic transition in African countries; they include changing leaders, public mentalities and constitutions. The case of South Africa One of the countries in Africa that has experienced a democratic transition is South Africa. The country’s democratic transition has inspired other countries of the world especially the African countries. The country has struggled through a bloody and long history of apartheid. Indeed, many people expected the country to succumb to ethnic violence that has affected many African nations (Boraine, 2001). If African countries wish to have a successful democratic transition like South Africa, they need to fight oppression, bitterness, hatred, wars and enmity among them. They have to find democratic ways of resolving conflicts just like South Africa. Boraine (2001) asserts that the road to democracy for South Africa was not smooth. The apartheid period unleashed a reign of terror against the blacks for more than 40 years; multitudes of people were incarcerated. This period can be termed as the most ruthless and heartless regime the world has ever experienced since Hitler’s period in Germany. There were many acts passed in South Africa during apartheid. These acts helped to country to have a democratic transition. After the apartheid era, the government of South Africa enacted some policies to transform the society, and end the discrimination policies in the constitution. There were democratic elections in 1994 that saw the election of the first black president (Nelson Mandela) in South Africa. After his election in office, he worked towards galvanizing the whole nation as one. He laid the cornerstone for building a democratic country in the future, which of course happened. Chapter 1 of the constitution was changed to ensure human dignity, non-racism and non-sexism, and universal adult suffrage. It also ensured regular elections, multiparty system, democratic government, accountability, openness and responsiveness (Boraine, 2001). These items can be regarded as the core pillars of the democratic transition in South Africa. Countries that have not yet experienced a democratic transition should borrow from the history of South Africa. In conclusion, most of African nations have demonstrated poor or lack of democracy in their governments; this remains to be a barrier in development. There are several barriers to successful democratic transition in these countries. These barriers include lack of democratic culture, underdeveloped economy, unstable society through wars and violence and inequality of human rights. African nations need to adopt policies such as changing leaders, public mentalities and constitutions. South Africa can be regarded as one of the African countries that have experienced a successful democratic transition. Other African countries can learn from South Africa. References Boraine, A. (2001). A country Unmasked Inside South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. New York: Oxford University Press. Bates, R. H. (1995). Democratic transition in Africa: a first report on an empirical project Harvard: Harvard Institute for International Development. Nzongola-Ntalaja, G. & Lee, M.C. (1997). The State and Democracy in Africa. New York: Africa World Press, Riley. S. P. (1991). The democratic transition in Africa: an end to the one-party state? New York: Research Institute for the Study of Conflict and Terrorism, Read More