Whats your definition of Democracy? I believe most of you have your different perception and ideas of what is Democracy and so is expectations of how a Democratic state or society ought to be like
I define democracy as the rule of the Majority over the Minority and my expectations of a Democratic state is Rule of Law, Transparency, Good Governance ,Freedom of Speech and so on . Democracy has posed a great challenge than Socialism, communism and other mode Governance will ever will. Sometimes i ask myself if Russia won the cold war would the world be different? would it be better or worse?
Before colonialist all countries had their modes of Governance and how the society was led by, some had chiefs, some kings , some lead my Spiritual Leaders and in countries like South Africa Ubuntu. Colonialist came and we left our old norms,tradition , cultures and Beliefs and Embraced the Whitemans culture. We fought for Independence but in reality we were fighting for The inter-dependency we used to have and Enjoy, the Freedom , the peace and Love we had before the whit man came . After colonialism Imperialism was more evident than ever before and at least this time we cant fight them because they are not in our country boundaries but rather in the systems and institutions that govern us. Our leaders who fought for independence turned against their people and became dictators and assassins. We are suffering now than how we did before independence.
Countries have come a long way in achieving Democracy as this is seen as the perfect mode of Governance but are we really Democratic.Elections has became an important element in regime change , we indulge our selves in elections hoping to get better leaders and better policies for improving our lives. After Elections we realize that all is still the same , the leaders who get into power forget the people who voted them into power and exploit them even more thru policies and laws . In some countries like Uganda Elections is a formality process even citizens know who will become president if they vote or not. Acts of voter bribery and elections fraud is rampant , the best thief gets elected , if you dont steal not seat or position you can be able to get in honest and just ways.
Super powers have used Democracy to coarse other countries and states, Libya was a paceful country they wanted Democracy and have they achieved it yet, which is better under Qaddafi or under ISIS that even now slave trade a thing of 1800s is slowly growing . Congo has been in war for the past two decades and still in war despite being run by a democratic leader. In Kenya citizens are made to think its Democracy but the big families still come to rule over them time after time hat its better to call it Monarchy.
More than half of the countries have held elections than in 1990's but their countries are becoming more and more poor than they were before and after colonization. Billions have been used in carrying out of elections but the standards of living for the people are still low and in most cases deplorable. Leaders are using their positions as a way of earning wealth and social status at he expense of the people.
Whats the way forward really?
i believe people should go back to their traditions and cultures, they should research on their modes of governance and find a way of adjusting them to suit the current lifestyles we are living in . People should reflect on the reasons why many had to die for independence and live by their expectations 