Democracy, a “Seed That Falls among Thorns” in Africa

Abstract

Democracy became appreciated as it spread around the globe and with the driving force of globalization, it became a norm as the world continues to polarise. Democracy, like other ravaging world beliefs, invaded regions across the world with little regard to the existing cultures, norms, customs and traditions of the peoples. In Africa, for example, some cultures reserve kingship for a supposedly esteemed class of nobles while another class or family is the king-maker who on no account should be kings, and the last class is the slave who naturally should service the two afore-mentioned classes. Also, on the eve of independence in Africa, most states fell into the hands of military leaders who saw their position as that of African rulers who ruled for life. Moreover, in some cultures, there is no-time bar for a ruler hence a leader can only be replaced after his/her death. Like the sower who sowed his seed, some fell on the pathway, some amongst thorns, others in good soil, so is the movement of democracy around the world. In Africa, democracy being an alien ideology, produced different results in different areas; while it produced good results in some areas, in others it failed. This paper aims to examine the causes of these failures and proffer possible solutions, thereby contributing to the extant literature in the field. The paper employs the historical throwback theory in explaining its findings.