Democracy and States in Africa: The Imperative of Tolerance and Compromise
By
Olatunji A. Oyeshile, Ph.D Professor Department of Philosophy University of Ibadan Ibadan Email:
[email protected]
I Abstract
Several Africa.
research
Most
democracy states.
of
these
in Africa,
The
respected
usual
reason
of the
corruption,
into dearth There
states
in Africa
preceding
been
of public
chaos
in human
values
that
paid
are necessary
not
among
and material
ethos,
little
which
leadership, group
l iav« culminated 1Il
Africa from lack of
on democracy
on two related
to flourish
The
and
resulting
scholars
or no attention
for democracy
of bad
dimensions
however
as rule of law,
of individual
the problem
and
leadership.
in terms
others
or failed
internalized
such
in
against
states
oriented
viol.u ion
states
militating
have
people
space,
leadership
and
led to collapsed
and
have
of democratic have
factors
in Africa
can be no dispu Le concerning
states
on
and au ribu ics of democracy
and despotic
intcruationalization
on democracy
focused
of expression,
of development
done
invariably
is that
emasculation
autocratic
been
have
have
features
freedom
consequence
have
works which
the salient
accountability,
right,
works
and
concepts
or
in Africa viz tolerance and
compromise. In this paper 1Il
most
African
therefore,
states
we argue
because
have not been able to imbibe as
fundamental
freedom.
It is
internalization
r
factors
our
fervent
of
institutionalization
Keywords: Democratic
as
these
the
that democ-racy political
gladlaLors
the spirit of tolerance like
leadership,
belief, two
as
related
our
States
their
\\
111
dC\'
Africa,
suppor ter s
and compromise
Clrg\!!l1cnts
valu cs
in
and
a\
2006: 1). If this is ih« case, democracy
has a major role to
in
what
s:
of better
of governance
then
within
terms
thu
by the
can we do in
OUl body
politic
and
further
ensuring
that
it succeeds?
It IS this task
that
this chapter
attempts
to
carryout. In achieving issues
among
our aim In this
others
namely:
African
of democracy democratic
compromise, Habermas
and
enhance
democratic
gladiators
themselves
appropriate
ideals.
ideals
democratic
that
concept
the
to date,
the
compromise
in
or tolerance works
it is sole duty
and
or Jurgen
of the state
if political
to
gladiators
is the good life for all, and that
this
same
on issues,
space
1980s and
arc only possible
towards
at compromise
from the
twm
the following
of st a te s in Africa,
m sigh i s Irorn the
to an end, which
are working
African
structure
the
useful
These
be examining
or tolerance
Buber. We conclude
and arrive
to re-order
imperative
In analyzing
see their task as a means political
the
space.
Martin
and
III Africa espcciullx
and
we shall
we shall
the nature
new wave of Democratization features
essay
end.
The ability
to tolerate
will help in far-reaching
for progress
and developmen
all
ways
l.
III
The Nature and Structure of States in Africa The
nature
combination
of
background daunting and
and
structure
factors.
Primary
and various task
in most
structure
ethnic African
states states
and
1970s which
have dovetailed
or unwittingly
responsible
yearnings
desires
in Africa
among
these
configurations states.
in Africa
independent
and
of states
Other
include
the autocratic
m ilit arv civilian
into present for the
of their
inability
citizens
are
have
made
that
intervention
All these
of states
a
colonial a
the nature
of the factors
from
governance
in
III Africa
dr-art h
aile!
the
determine
governments
times.
more
factors
which factors
derived
the
newly
1960s
and
have wittingly to meet
of development
the
in all
rami fications. It is dccolonization granted
no
surprise created
to the former
then artificial
colonial
that
in
the
multi-ethnic territories
period
following
states
when
without
anv attempt
vor ld
independence to tailor
war
II, was
the new
states
in accordance
This scenario
with ethnic
is aptly described
and
cu ltu ral realities
by Oyeshile
(Ovcshilc,
2004:
292).
thus:
Indeed, because the bou ndarics of the new African states merelv reflected the borders of the former colonial territories, few of today's African states represent homogenous ethnic or cultural entities. The result has been a legacy of widespread conflicts often amounting to civil war, when smaller ethnic entities attempt to free themselves from domination b , more powerfu I groups (Oyeshile, 2004:292- 29:-3). The consequences limited
to corruption,
conflict
and
constituted
the
the
selfish
that
lack of respect
obstacle
teridencv -
democracy
features people's
To Bello therefore,
of consumenism,
of democratization.
to liberal
and
above have included
attitude
au tocratic
is an inherent
democracy
described
false
problem
and
for human
democracy.
of multi-party
all,
a major
The alienation
liberal
dictatorship,
above
(2002:240),
of the tendency
and
in Africa rather
societies
are basic
is not.h ing wrong
it is the practice
to Bello
leaders
development
of new African
there
religious
According
of African
right s, which
but not
has."
in Africa. results
from
ingredients
of
with the concept
that is flawed.
This malaise is due to dictatorial, despotic and autocratic political leaders 'who arc afraid of being voted out of power if they allowed free, fair and transparent elections; this has happened, in recent times; for example, in Kcnva, Zimbabwe, Gambia, Liberia, Gabon and Ivory coast (Bello, 2002:241).
Corruption incompatible or economic stems
social
in
leadership
arrangement
corruption.
There
from the fact that
solely by profit rather
has in rna
nx
bCt'll S(c-ILl's
"I
logical
in Africa.
consequence
It could
of
be political
is also the lau l t, .u i it ude of con surne r isrn. This
contemporary
than
also
the welfare
ccon orrur relationships of parties
involved
arc determined
Morality
plays
little
or no role in such Africans
relationships,
use foul means
of thc society affluence
in order
are
not
Contemporary personal
which
questioned
and
relations
material
ofthc
dcvclopmcnt
Many states consumerism. that
produce,
lacks
acerbated
by neglect
religious
threatened
social
and
re-ligioris introduced
[Bolarinwa
by unbridled
of
bv traditional
The
into African
i hc
(Ovc shilc,
for
t h is
African
huv.-
11Ul
is any Icsson
from the traditional
tolerance
bx adhcrcnt
is
further
to counter
rural
of the
population
which
cannot
SOCIeties
today the
have foreign
been abl« to work together
If there
rcligious
wealth
potential
IS understandable:
for both the community
was
of
2004:297),
the same goals of salvation
there
do nothing
agricultural
towards
that
This
rnct hod s of cultivation
societies
to bc Icarncd
for
to the
mcrnbvr s produce
1QQ4:95-Y6),
in coritcrnporarv reason
desire
of tcchniques
but ever expanding
mcmbcrs
wealth,
in the \ -ord s of Ehu sarri,
as governments
degradation
conflicts
of their
ot hcr-, .on su me weal i h they do not
impoverished
growing
order,
ill-gotten
guilt,\ of a false consciousness
individual
in which
stabilitx
and
who display
[Eh u sa n i. 1991:242),
or whose
and
of forests
their rapidly The
trend,
members
of goods and multiplication
of the environment,
to find sustcnancc
support
This
whv
of other
sources
characterized
benefits,
many
political
as the neglected
seeks
are
to the
in Africa have also become
they do not consume,
land,
Individuals
regard
of the person"
A society
the destruction
to the \\ ell-being
thcir goals, wit h
"crnpha sizc s the accumulation neglect
be d iffic u lt to ~l'l' the reason
arc inimical
to achieve
economic
wealth
It cannot
arid the individual. African
s of the various
unIHTSC,
it is
divinities
and
in Africa,
has
deities, Rivalry degenerated
between
into open conflict
are the Maitasine
riots,
and Jos riots. These resources disturbances
Ch r ist ia n itv and
which
in such
the Kario riots,
riots claim human
would
of 1990,
Islam,
countries th
leading
to thc
states
as Sudan
Sclgetll1U
lives and
have been available
in most
C:\
Of note
riots and even the Kadu na loss of incalculable
for ell'\ elopment.
an nu lmcnt
and Nigeria,
of an
material
Even the Algerian election
victory
by
.'
Islamic
fundamentalists,
interests
(Oyeshile,
has
the
nature
very daunting
the weakening
of governments
and
has rcsulted
groups
Militias
arc
Islam
elections
and
secular
and
resulted
to Odugbemi,
authority
Scvcral
through
interest
or the June
to helve been
people
all sorts
of national
to the annulment
in
ethnic
but on how they affect the ethnic
purported
\\'ClS
has
authority.
issues
the ethnic
development
configuration
to state
that
Africa,
liat has made
According
state
the case
III
of are
groups. 12, ] 993,
won bv Chief M.K.O
of the country.
simply
have been the altitude
the
merits
to Oguejiofor,
election
t
This ethnic
or Nigerians
which
or states
at the centre.
on their
Abiola from the South-West
12, 1993
tasks.
become
A good case is the altitude
According
between
structure obstacle
challenging
It has
considered
presidential
conflict
in a low level allegiance
overtly
(2001:69).
no longer
and
also been a major
democratization
identity
a
2004:297).
In considering configuration
reflected
thc North
because
of others
did not support
it controls
lacking
the
a revisit
presidency.
a scn sc of community.
of the June
But
this
could
This is because:
The other sections of Nigeria did not see their interest attacked by the cancellation of the election, while for most Yoruba who mounted seriou s protest, it was dou btfu I whether they would have done so if the candidate who won the election were not of Yoru ba extraction (Oguejiofor, 2000:3). There
is no doubt
major obstacle
to democracy,
The fact of ethnicity states
then
t ha
progress
in Africa. This is aptly captured and two publics'
morality
it comes
when
who defrauds
his tribal community
would be treated
the public
(1975 and servant
but a public
as an outcast.
7
has
the level of corruption
His fellow tribesmen
the Slate as a hero,
cleavages
been a
nt in Africa.
in Peter Ekchs
in which
to probity.
ur ethnic
and dcvrlupmr
has also aggr avatcd
of 'two cultures
servant
t the problem
servant
many
1980) analysis
exhibits would
1Il
a double
see a public who defrauded
This trend According
to Ade-
alienated
itself
purport
has even acqu ired an even more frightening Ajayi
from
to maintain
leaders
its
own
people
a measure
only go to their
very pathetic
(1999: 16), the
urban,
such
political
that
supporters
during
election
today,
of Africa
African
states
has
which
the
political
wh e n thev need voles,
It is
that:
From the foregoing, hope
of the people
then
makes the
elite
of repr e scnt a t ive government,
The elite, like the colonial stare. inherited, has grown apart from Increasingly the state and the elite the state have become predators of (Ade-Ajayi, 1999: 16)
enable
those
dimension
after
it very state
maintenance
one can discern polit.ical
imperative
to carry
of law and order
the people" (Oladipo,
there
independence to have
out
that
\'h ich they the society, who control the society,
in most
proper
its functions
has been
a shattering
African
democratization
which
but in "creating
will include
the conditions
of
stales
which
which
would
not
only
of decent
the
life for
2001:9),
IV
The New Wave of Democratization There
is no doubt
that
in many
states
democratization especially
concerning
Africa organized cases,
dresses,
especially
too, the military them
elections
The
concerning
in coup
level of political
w.t ncsscd
in Africa,
which
still
the appropriation elections,
the
same
and
the-ir
instability.
The consequence
to failed stales,
riot maintain
law and
\\'c}:-'
The states order,
then
could
and
much
did
values,
stooges
det.ai s. So the new wave of dcrnocratiza
at
uniforms not
to
change
In some
cases
and later overthrew
tion did not abate obvious: not justify
also could
ip
dictators
in power In most
from military
of democratic
installed
many
to remain
the change
attempts
at home and abroad,
sanctions,
they manipulated
were
a concerted
Due to pressure
of economic
only involved
actors
organized
Africa were turning as thcv could
1980s
the imposition
the democratization
civilian
the
in African States
the
Many states their
in
existence
not guarantee
the
conducive
social environment
for individual
citizens
and live the good life. A look at countries Niger, Zimbabwe the people
and
Kenya
show
have failed u tterly
that
like Somalia, thosc
to deploy
to actualize
their potentials
Ugarnala,
Ivory Coast,
who hold sovereign
in trust
for
it for the service
and su stenance
of tlie
us lO the features
of democracy.
This is
achieved
desired
people. The scenario because
if thc
success
in terms
painted
new
above lakes
wave
of democratization
of creation
have to revisit the features
of social order
has
not
a nr] development,
the
then
it means
of democracy - and wh ., it has not worked
we
in Africa.
v Features of Democracy Revisited Many scholars to the inability
of political
the principles are these
have argued
or what
features'?
people's equality,
political
and
votcd
be
association;
th e stale,
for democracy the its
of the
features
are but
which
periodical
featurcs
feeling
among
of the innate
incIude
above.
citizens dignity
What
poh t ical and
rights
freedom
and respect listed
and f01l0\,."
of democracy.
ssc s such
elections.
leadership
to abide
not lirru ted to: Supremacy
which
cnccrnpa
space
in Africa due
of
as the speech,
then of the
economic
right
to vote
freedom
of
for the rule or law other
factors
showing
such
as the size of
commitment
and integrity
lO the
state
of man are all necessary
to nourish. sovereignty legitimacy to them.
such as Hobbes' General
as features
from these fraternal
responsible
may be regarded
liberty
and the recognition
derives
the political
of opportunities
for,
has not worked
within
accountablc
Apart
On
actors
These
will, equality
that dcmocracv
of the or
This
Leviathan,
sovereignty forms
to
the main
it must from
transfer
Oil
Libertu,
his
right
the
be rioted people
baSIS of all social
Locke's on Treati-sc«
Will. Even Mill's Essoy
individual
people,
uI
Gouernnient
I K:=iLJ I" pr.-dicaud of self
govcrnance
that and
government IS
therefore
contract
theories
and Rousseau's on the willingnes to others.
s
The
sovereignty
of the people
only free individuals rights
that
are transferred
to the person(s)
justice, also
being
equality,
must
welfare
managing
devoid of avarice, in government, trust
must
the
present
free and
fair
hallmark
of truly democratic
election.
that
has
disequilibrium
Africans.
attitude
towards
people.
Although,
is: What has
development,
all
(Oladipo.
of African
they
countries.
The
primary
pretence
development
form
purpose
have access
anv
1Il
and
basis
and
It is therefore
not
conformity
African has
countries
led to social
and men tal poverty ts
tha t
basic
pro-active
made
question
poverty thai
The primary
of promoting
to the basic
to take
has
c-rnrncnt?
to vagaries
the
a
should answer
good
of the
of interpretations,
the
through
necessities
whichever of life and
life.
democratic
is primarily
the
bu t the
the good of the people
live a fulfilled and happy whatever
of
as corr u pt.ion , war, violence,
pc-opk:
in promoting that
canons
govc-rnrnen
gO\
on
1998).
such
of
sovereignty
the laid-down
the world.
of their
is the purpose
those
of
in tu r n have led to material
African
manner
renewal
principles
of African
of
lor
development
traits
the
goals
is the case,
democratic
l
the
people's
above
OVlT
hold
in just
subjects
to
identified
to democratic
failure
the
their
conform
this good can be subjected
is to ensure
And
to
a govern men
development
of government
subsequently
that
into negative
of the
our minds government
means
the
feature
is that
success
If the loregoing t hc
who
Being accountable
ncss.
to be holding
principles
and these
subjects.
representatives
governments
bane
IL is the
of their
of their
factors
to adhere
resulting
among
agitate
pursue
elections
the
tribalism
permanent
and
to democratic
constituted
nepotism,
tru stwor thv
regularly
hcr s. And if
power.
be reliable,
resources
oi
it is
be accountable
those
makes
It is the failure
must
that
All the
tag-democracy-that
to
presu pposes
themselves periodic
rights
accou n table
presumed
through
and adherence
such
greed and sclf-ccrurcd who arc
their
This is because
who hold it in trust
for and on behalf
mandate
the
those
rrccdorn.
transfer
who relinquishes/relinquish
in trust
means
their
can voluntarily
to othcrs,
Furthermore, sovereignty
also presupposes
about 10
g()\lTnment people.
rnav
It is human
make
about
development
in all ramifications. be called
It is a government
a democratic
povcrtv
alleviation
countries.
government
seriously.
Concerning
Ajayi opines
that and
This
i-, pro-active
towards
this that
it is su ch government
has
not
been
the interconnectedness
the
lot
that
will take
of most
of development
and
can
African
people,
Ade
thus: Development is growth plus change. Change, in turn, is social and cultural as \\'ell as economic. The key concept must be improved quality of people's life (Adc-Ajayi, 1999: 15).
Therefore the extent bearest
in self evaluating
to which
people's
minimu m should The emphasis
Nigeria,
the
corruption, and
be the standard
to
adhere
among
democratic
attainment extension, mental
no more individual therefore
in most
democratic
African
reduced
to its
cou n t r ies. such
principles
of eicctiull,
ion of people's
of unbridled many
in Nigeria
understood
as
manifested
lack of respect
Irccdorn
have
povcr tv resulting
individuals
politics. as
an
of truly democratic justice
has
dimension
material
to
that
as 1Il
for human
all led to hyper-
such
prosperity. than asset,
an illusion.
that governance
hoodlums
democracy
and
of the people and ensuring
is popularly
perspective
almost
impossible
then
hooligans,
that
standard
II
has
ma n v leaders
helve converted for public project
to 'do
made
the
in Africa and by
Ior m of poverty
is n ow Cllllstrued
tagged
for
one can also argue
materialism
This
serve as a social better
what
or governance
crass
little or no consideration cannot
lO
From this
unending
It is no wonder
with
has led
governments
become
from lack of respect
now go into politics
at all cosl. This scenario
or die' syndrome poverty
to be democratic,
citizens.
principles,
omo ss wealth
claims
test.
rigging
cmasculat
As a consequence
that
been
non-accountability, right,
that
life have been imprm cd and poverty
so far has
failure
people's
poverty
a government
as
C\
also
quick
means
in Africa, public good.
for alleviating
of living for the people.
has
the to
who arc
property
to
In this guise the poverty
The foregoing R.A. Akanmidu hunger
shows
suggests
and suffering
righlly
be described
that
poverty
of different
forms.
ha s serious is related
implications
suffering'
destitution,
that poverty
(Akanmidu,
be seen as 'the state of lacking
for poverty.
to starvation,
It is in this sense
as 'a form of human
can appropriately (Akanmidu,
that democracy
the means
itself can
1995:44)
LO
which
exist adequately'
1995:44).
VI
Democracy and Poverty Alleviation At this juncture, poverty has
alleviation.
its
rooL.
It is m this
We
institutionalization
we emphasise
can
pose
contribute
is yes. This is only possible occupy
themselves
the social
Republic,
positive the
and feasible
back
if those
to aricie n t times
contract
with governance
to philosophers such
or
its
in Africa? The answer
saddled
l.o
in
of democracy
democracy
guocl or public
and even
theories
Can
alleviation
common
governance
th at the ideal
thus:
poverty
or
of democratic
direction
question
towards
with the pursuit
even new as it dates
the roles
pre-
good. This is not like Plato in The
or ga ni« theories
as that
of Hegel. In pursuing taken what
public
into adequate make
the promotion to
people's
tolerance
for corruption
points
up the
Nigeria
such
and which
that
so that
of public
of truly
goods
of human
right of citizens
liberalization,
into cognizance
the philosophy
is
zero
appropriated that in any
of all by government
policies
privatization
of government and
in
free-market
the xu sccp ti bi litv of the weak
of thc WIIlIlC!' takes 1:2
such
are
by all.
ill i h« interest
d economic
are
there
transparency,
me not unjustly
10
ones
governance
For instance,
is accountubility,
primary
of sophistical
the weak
democratic
be possible.
LO
good e spcciallv
deregulation,
do not take
promote
of all especially
the rule of 1
