As I walked through the streets of my hometown, I couldn't help but wonder: does democracy truly work? The question seemed to linger in the air, as if it was being whispered by the very bricks of the buildings around me. I knew that asking this question to someone in Europe would likely elicit a resounding "Yes!", but I couldn't help but wonder what the response would be from someone in Africa. I think a sharp âNo!â is most likely the answer.
However, itâs pertinent to understand that their answers are all products of their experiences, rather than facts or studies. Arguably, there are no âperfect democraciesâ, but some societies are more democratic than others.
I was born and raised in Nigeria, and throughout my living years has only seen democracy as our form of government. Moreover, growing up as a curious kid made me question a lot of things. The idea of âDemocracyâ wasnât left out as I pondered the actual meaning of the word, and whether it was truly the beacon of freedom and equality that it promised to be.
You see, as a child, I was taught by my history teacher about the poet of democracy, Sir. Abraham Lincoln, whose idea of a democracy was a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Reflecting, I canât help but wonder: did Lincoln's idea of a democracy only thrive because it was fought for? Was it only loved and cherished because those who lived in it understood what it felt like to be oppressed by a dictatorship?
I am almost 21, and have not experienced a system of government other than democracy. However, I can boldly say that Lincoln would have frowned upon the âdemocracyâ we practice here. We practice a kind of democracy that actually mocks every principle it (democracy) was meant to stand by. This is a democracy that leaves power in the hands of a few wealthy and privileged people, and dares anyone to try to oppose it. A democracy where the interests of the public begins and ends on a white piece of paper. A democracy without the vital pillar of democracy â the people.Â
In June 1994, Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, also known as MKO Abiola was arrested, detained, and later killed by the then military government of Nigeria for winning a âdemocraticâ election. The military government had finally agreed to give the people a chance to elect their leader, but when the time came to hand over power, that was their response.
Why did the people vote for MKO Abiola? Why did they see a need to be able to select who would rule them? Could it be that they were tired of the military government they had all their lives and wanted something else? Or did they just see that there was no future in a system where they had no freedom to have a say in government? Regardless of their reasons, the people embraced the idea of democracy and elected leaders to represent them, understanding that they had the power to remove them if they failed to serve their interests.
Perhaps, the masses were short-sighted and failed to understand the paradox of power. Maybe they failed to realize that even a system as just as democracy can become corrupt and evolve into something totally different from its meaning. My friend once said to me, âThe bad amongst us are a majority,â and it made me ponder, if that is true, doesn't it mean that the bad will always rule us?
Dale Carnegie once wrote in his book, âWhen dealing with people, let us remember we are not dealing with creatures of logic. We are dealing with creatures of emotions, creatures bristling with prejudices and motivated by pride and vanity.â If Dale is right in his assertions, then isnât it safe to say that the possibility of a government based solely on the actions of people being perfect is hopeless?
Throughout history, we have seen men do crazy things for power, and even much worse for freedom. Amidst this ruckus, we have seen democracy evolve and change. But despite its flaws and imperfections, democracy offers us something that no other system of government would freely give: a chance to right our wrongs.Â
Democracy offers us the opportunity to learn from our mistakes and create a better future for ourselves. It makes us responsible for our choices and decisions, and keeps us interested and aware of the happenings around us. As someone who has lived under a democratic system of government all his life, I believe that democracy is flawed, just as we as humans are flawed. However, I also believe that it is this very imperfection that allows us to continually strive for a better, more just society. So, my answer to the big question is yes.Â
Even though democracy magnifies our collective prejudices and makes the minority a slave to the majority's will, it works. Democracy works.
â Democracy: Flawed But Necessary - Delight Asaph, 2021. (Revised).