Times Of Swaziland: WHAT REALLY IS DEMOCRACY?

WHAT REALLY IS DEMOCRACY?
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Alex nxumalo on 24/07/2022 15:16:00


The method of rule of the tyrant and the oligarch is quite simply to clobber,
coerce, or overawe all or most other groups in the interest of their own” -
Bernard Rowland Crick; was a British political theorist and democratic
socialist. Are we (Eswatini ) a country that truly, and honestly practices
upright, and core principles of democracy, exactly as some people in our midst,
claim we do? There are numerous definitions. of the noun ‘democracy’, but,
do all global countries, including our very, own Eswatini , that claim to be
‘democratic’, really adhere to true, and core principles of democracy? For
starters, what really is democracy?
I am no expect in the various, and different systems of governance - they are
many, and all claim to be democratic - but, as Bernard Rowland Crick once
observed, “democracy is perhaps the most promiscuous word in the world of
public affairs.”. Without any shadow of doubt, as we shall see, no political
concept is more used, abused, or misused, than that of democracy. Nearly every
regime nowadays lay claim to the fact that they are democratic, but not all
democracies allow absolutely free politics. It is surprising that even
well-known totalitarian, autocratic, or despotic regimes also claim that they,
too, are democratic!
Widely used definition
The most widely used definition of democracy is, taken from the words of the
late, Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the  United States of America, who said
these words to honour soldiers that sacrificed their lives in order that, the:
“Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish
from the earth”. It is said that these words were spoken by the late President
at Gettysburg, but, that, ‘these words apply as well to the countless soldiers
that died for the cause of democracy in the following 150 years...’ As I
mentioned earlier on, there are many definitions of democracy, including, in
part: (Source: “Concepts and principles of democratic governance and
accountability. A guide for peer educators, published under the project:
‘Action for Strengthening Good Governance and Accountability in Uganda’ by
the Uganda Office of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung):
*A society based on equal opportunity and individual merit, rather than
hierarchy or privilege;  	*A system of welfare and redistribution aimed at
narrowing social inequalities; 	*A system of decision-making based on the
principle of majority rule; 	*A system of rule that protects the rights and
interests of minorities by placing checks upon the power of the majority
Personally, I like the first definition because it directly impacts on what we
are not practicing in this country, in spite of claims that we are by those
benefitting from the current, system of governance we are ruled under,
What then should true democracy entail? Or, rather, what are (or should be) the
main characteristics of democracy?
These are (Sourced from the same source as quoted above):
*Democracy is government in which power and civic responsibility are exercised
by all adult citizens directly or indirectly through their freely elected
representatives. 	*Democracy rests upon the principle of majority rule, which
means that decisions are made by majority and have to be accepted by all, but
minority viewpoints are respected and protected. 	*Democracies guard against
all-powerful central governments and decentralise government to regional and
local levels, understanding that all levels of government must be as accessible
and responsive to the people as possible.
Equal protection
*Democracies understand that one of their prime functions is to protect such
basic human rights as freedom of speech and religion; the right to equal
protection under the law; and the opportunity to organise and participate fully
in the political, economic, and cultural life of society. 	*Democracies conduct
regular free and fair elections open to all citizens of voting age.  	*Citizens
in a democracy have not only rights, but also the responsibility to participate
in political systems that, in turn, protect their rights and freedoms. 
	*Democratic societies are committed to the values of tolerance, cooperation,
and compromise.
We are a country that is currently at the crossroads of our political, and
socioeconomic future. So many things had happened since we attained self-rule in
1968. These things are happening at a very frenetic pace, as I write. Everything
turned awry, as we all know,  last year, June 2021. It is a period where we all,
unfortunately, got to witness the so-called, ‘unique democracy’ in action.
Most of these negative things are taking place as a result of our misplaced and
controversial adherence to true, democratic principles. Coming from the
conservative camp, our type of democracy had been dubbed ‘a unique
democracy’. As far as some of us are concerned, there is little or no
resemblance at all to true, democratic principles in the manner we are governed.
The respect for fundamental human rights of the citizens, as enshrined in the
country’s Constitution are hardly respected.
Rights like freedom of expression, assembly, association, freedom of conscience,
and the right to call to account government’s unconstitutional violation of
the rights of citizens, are severely restricted. As I write, two Members of
Parliament who exercised their right to freedom of expression, are wallowing in
prison, incarcerated due to what many view as politically motivated, and trumped
charges. Many decades ago, growing up as a fresh-faced and sprightly youngster
in the early 70s, life was blissful, peaceful, and progressive. Everybody minded
his or her own business. There was hardly any fear of thugs, the police or
soldiers, like it is today. Politicians (government, especially) were more or
less, mindful about catering for the welfare of the people.
Impetuous acts
There hardly existed any vices like the impetuous acts of corruption which we
relentlessly witness today. It is impulsively practiced by mostly those in the
high echelons of power. If there existed such acts those days, they were
conducted ‘decently’, and in secret, not as brazenly, and unashamedly as it
is done nowadays. I stand to be corrected, though, but, to the best of my
recollection, I would even put my hand on the chopping block, and dare say that
the basic, principles of democracy were, more or less, practiced or adhered to
during those days. Then, things took a turn for the worst.
The year 1973, was a turning point, in the eyes of some, especially politically,
for the country. As the late, Nigerian author Chinua Achebeb titled his debut
novel, ‘Things Fall Apart’, first published in 1958, things began to fall
apart in this formerly, tranquil kingdom from that momentous year.
The long and short of it is that, that on 12 April 1973, the late King Sobhuza
II (may his soul rest in eternal peace) is alleged to have issued the King’s
Proclamation to the Nation No. 12 of 1973, whereby he declared that he had
assumed supreme power in the Kingdom of Swaziland (Eswatini) and that all
legislative, executive and judicial power vested in him. In addition, he
repealed the democratic Constitution of Swaziland (Eswatini) that was enacted in
1968.
The burning question in the minds of all politically savvy citizens, including
progressives and political formations, as well as timfucuta like yours truly,
is: Was that a truly and ethical act; one that subscribed to the true dictates,
principles, and tenets of democracy? Some even question if this wasn’t an act
of absolutism?
Just so that we move together, it is important that we define ‘absolutism’
According to www.thefreedictionary.com, absolutism is: ‘a government in which
one person has unlimited authority..’
Now, it is important that we examine nowadays’ principles of democracy. The
world would be a better place, including our own country, Eswatini if it were to
practice some of these principles. These principles are sourced from the same
source as above. Read on...:
Citizen participation: This means that citizens are part and parcel of what
happens in their society or country. The citizens are part of the
decision-making process on matters that affect them. Communication is a two-way
consultative process, i.e. bottom-up as well as top-bottom before any decision
is reached.
Equality: This means equality before the law, equality of opportunity in the
realisation of individual capacities without regard to one’s race, gender,
ethnic background, religion or whatsoever.
Mindful and respectful
Political tolerance: This means the ruling masses are mindful and respectful of
the interests of the minority. While there may be differences between the people
by way of race, religion, descent and culture they rise above such differences
and give room for discussion, debate and accommodation of different viewpoints.
Accountability: This is when elected leaders or public officials have to answer
to the common citizens regarding their actions, decisions or indecisions during
the time they are or were occupants of the public offices. Those found to be
performing to the required standards are rewarded by their continued stay in
office while those found to be lacking in one way or another are punished.
Transparency: To be transparent means that leaders allow for public scrutiny of
what they do while in public office. The citizens are allowed to attend public
meetings and are free to obtain information on what happens in public offices,
who makes what decisions and why. Transparency is a step towards accountability.
Regular, free  and fair elections: Regular elections ensure that the citizens
are not stuck with bad leadership but that they have the opportunity to throw
out incompetent leaders through free and fair elections.
Free and fair elections give the citizens a chance to elect a leader of their
choice as opposed to rigging elections that return often unwanted leaders to
power. Elections are the main avenue for all citizens to exercise power by
choosing their leaders and giving their vote to the candidate whom they think
will represent them best.
Economic freedom: Economically handicapped citizens are the ones prone to all
types of abuses as they lack the economic base to meet the basic necessities of
life. As a result they are the ones often bribed with the smallest of gifts
during elections, the consequences of which are often adverse, such as returning
corrupt and morally bankrupt leaders to power ... Control of the abuse of power:
Any government without checks and balances on its powers is likely to abuse
those powers. The most common form of abuse of power is corruption by government
officials. Control of abuse of power can be achieved through a number of ways,
i.e. by way of separation of powers of the three arms of government – the
legislature, executive and the Judiciary – and by ensuring the independence of
the three.
Rights and freedoms
Human rights: Unlike dictatorships, democracies strive to protect the rights and
freedoms of their citizens from abuse. These rights include the right to life,
the right to own property, the freedom of expression, the freedom to associate,
and the freedom to assemble, among others. Multi-party system: A multiparty
system is a set-up where there are more than two political parties contesting
for power. The reasons for having multiple parties in a democracy are: to widen
the pool for choice of the best candidate for political office; to offer
alternative views to the government of the day as a result of the existence of
an opposition; and to enable the opposition to act as a check on those in
political office. One-party systems lead to a lack of alternatives for the
citizens and concentration of powers and have often led to dictatorships.
Neutrality of state institutions: State institutions such as the police and the
army should be neutral and not take sides or be politically partisan.
Rule of law: This implies that no one is above the law and requires that all
citizens observe the law and are held accountable if they break it. The due
process of law requires that the law should be equally, fairly and consistently
enforced. The rule of law ensures law and order and the protection of citizens
as they enjoy their right. Well, there you have it. Let us all pray for our
government to adhere to true, democratic principles..Peace! Shalom! A blessed
day to you, all.