Democracy is said to be good yet democracy everywhere is under attack.
By Moses Kulaba, Governance and Economic Policy Analysis
@politicalgovernance
With reducing citizen trust in democratic processes such as elections, and institutions such as political parties and parliament, demonstrated by increasing voter apathy, the concept of participatory democracy is slowly fading away. Democracy is gradually being replaced by moneyocracy as only those who are financially endowed can buy themselves into positions of leadership. Democracy is now expensive and painful to participate.
The emerging question therefore is how can we rekindle this old tradition which was built on a philosophy of freedom of citizens right to vote leaders and participation, and in a government for, by and of the people? How do we make it endearing to citizens and particularly young people, who have lost touch and interest in democratic processes of governance.
In 2000, under a project, ‘Agenda Participation 2000’, we developed what we called the 10 principles for a democratic culture and conflict reduction in Tanzania. The principles were developed based on the universally accepted democratic principles mimicked on the mosaic biblical10 commandments. The purpose of that initiative was to bring back Tanzania on a straight path to democracy. After the 1992 political reforms that introduced Multiparty democracy and a successful first general election in 1995, Tanzania was slipping away. We had witnessed electoral violence in Zanzibar on a scale never seen before. Democracy in Tanzania was at cross roads.
Since then, we have witnessed some progress but also regression in many respects. Between 2002 and 2015, democracy thrived, recording a surge in the power of opposition political parties such as the Civic United Front (CUF) in Zanzibar and Chadema (Movement for Change) on the mainland. But this wave, was temporary. Between 2015 and 2020, political space was curtailed, political mobilization and freedom was gaged, opposition leaders were persecuted and democracy suffered. The 2020 elections were judged by observers as not free and fair.
After the assent of President Samia Suluhu Hassan to power in 2021, we have seen some opening up of the democratic space and a semblance that Tanzania may be regaining its feet back to democracy. A ban on political parties’ meetings was lifted, political dialogue encouraged, jailed opposition political leaders released and exiled ones allowed to return.
Despite this progress, gaps still remain and democracy feels under attack. The monetization of politics makes access to political opportunity and meaningful participation far from the grip of the poor citizenry. The rich bought the politics and its votes
Moreover, the clampdown on democracy between 2015 and 2020 disrupted political organization, scattered its leadership into exile, shut down on the media, persecuted human rights activists and effectively reduced youth motivation to engage in active democratic processes. The dominant single party structures and constant assail on the opposition reduced chances of fair play. Hopes that democracy was an answer to good political governance were dashed. In Tanzania, power belonged to the ruling party.
Yet, the constraints on democratic values, principles and rights are replicated everywhere in other neighboring countries across East Africa. Tanzania is not alone.
In Uganda, the political space has always been constrained in favour of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). Democracy is restricted. Opposition political mobilization and participation under the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the National Unity Platform (NUP) has suffered catastrophic repression. A culture of democracy is dead. Electoral processes are flawed and elections are often rigged.
Faced with an uncertain political future many citizens have given up to political fate and divine destiny for change to happen. Many youths seek political correctness using unconventional means. While some still cling on the concept of ‘people power’ others now identify with government aligned political movements such as the MK movement or the MK Patriots, with hope that these can usher them into power and deliver a new hope. For Uganda, elections are a joke, the military is the major political determinant-it is now widely believed.
In Kenya, the citizens, particularly the poor and youth hope for a brighter future under the Kenya Kwanza government seems to have faded as it became increasingly apparent that the promises made during the elections of a ‘bottom up’ approach of government may never be fulfilled after all. Politicians are the same-Always old wine in new bottles-it is now commonly said.
Generally, the future of democracy is uncertain. It is under these uncertain conditions and fore boarding reasons that the principles of a democratic culture are revisited and repurposed for citizens. Despite its weaknesses democracy is good and still the best alternative to tyranny. Our political future can never be written through other means apart from elections.
The politicians and systems may be corrupt, abused and weakened but democracy must never be allowed to fail. As citizens, we still have these principles that can serve as anchors to a better political democratic future. These we must learn, apply and uphold.
The Ten Principles for Democratic Culture revisited
- Participation: Where all citizens have the opportunity and responsibility to actively get involved in matters that affect their wellbeing.
- Consensus: There is a common understanding of dissenting views expressed by different segments of society, political class, citizens or members of a given community
- Transparency: Citizens have a right to know. Conducting management of public affairs must be open. Those entrusted to govern must explain their actions to citizens
- Rule of Law: Where none is above the generally agreed norms, rules and statutory instruments of society. These rules must be applied and enforced without discrimination.
- Truthfulness: leaders can be trusted and are responsible in how they conduct and manage public affairs
- Culture of Competition: Freedom to compete and accept defeat without recourse to undemocratic means. A winer this time can a be a loser next time.
- Equal Opportunity: Every citizen has equal access and opportunity to use and benefit from available resources, without discrimination
- Integrity: Public resources are not for private gain. Their allocation and use do not favor a few and especially those in power. Those who control them are trusted.
- Human Rights: The respect of the fundamental rights that a person has by virtue of being a human. Not given or taken away by the state or those in authority and power
- Civic Competency: Ability of citizens to engage, question and seek explanation from their leaders in regards to how decisions are made, resources allocated and used. Citizens demand accountability where generally standards, norms, values and expectations of conducting public affairs are abused.
The EU 12 principles of Good Governance[i]
Mirrored on the above, the EU has developed what it calls the 2 principles of good governance.
The 12 Principles are enshrined in the Strategy on Innovation and Good Governance at local level, endorsed by a decision of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in 2008.
These 12 principles are:
- Participation, Representation, Fair Conduct of elections
- Responsiveness
- Efficiency and Effectiveness
- Openness & Transparency
- Rule of law
- Ethical Conduct
- Competency and Capacity
- Innovation and openness to change
- Sustainability and long-term orientation
- Sound Financial Management
- Human Rights and Cultural diversity
- Accountability
The EU refers to these as the fundamental values of European democracy and requirements for Good Democratic Governance. However, we argue that these values are cross cutting and must be respected in every modern society. A democratic culture can be rebuilt and strengthened.
What can citizens, governments and civil society do?
In advancing these democratic principles different stakeholders can do the following
Government
- Safeguard of these principles as bare minimums for governance
- Establish and facilitate institutions and processes to serve and advance these principles
- Be responsive to citizens demands for accountability
Citizens
- Exercise their duty as citizens
- Oversight that they are not diluted
- Demand and enforce accountability by calling those in power to order and using their democratic right to vote the rouge ones out of power.
Civil Society
- Promotion of these principles so that citizens are aware and civilly competent to demand and exercise them
- Oversight that they are not derailed or diluted by anyone (states, governments and the political class)
- Demand application and accountability
As a new wave of democracy sweeps across Tanzania, with forthcoming elections and a generation of new younger leaders beckons in Africa, there is and must be an opportunity for doing things right. If we don’t revisit our principles, adopt and exercise them, Money and AI will run our democracies. Money mongers and Robots will become our leaders and gradually democracy and freedom will be killed.
[i] https://rm.coe.int/12-principles-brochure-final/1680741931