Is lack of democracy root of all evil? Mlala hoi wondering
In a country were there is “democracy”, what would jeopardize its existence? I wonder.
How do we determine democracy? How do we measure it? Is it by the number of newspapers in the country? Or is it by the number of political parties and independent radio and television stations?
Lets look at Tanzania were probably 60% of the elite in the country have gone to school together, worked together or maybe even do business together. How does one constructively criticize each other without always thinking “this is a friend” or “someone I know”: You probably have attended his parties, you are intermarried and call each others “shemeji”, so kwa hivyo mnaheshimiana (criticisms could be regarded as kuvunjiana heshima if there is a difference of age (wazee na vijana), socio-political status, education and probably vyeo) and most probably differences have been solved without any major incidents.
Usually decisions are reached before the majority has had a chance to express their opinion.
In a democratic process if the participation of a few elitist is the only thing that counts, then what measure of democracy is there? Are the ideas of majority really represented or is it what the elite wants and in turn feed it to the journalists and pr-consultants? Why worry, the person that would write about you is sitting right beside you eating your food and taking your money how could he remain objective in his or her view of any given problem involving the elite’s issues?
It is said the intellectual and the intelligentsia often move in flocks and it is important for them to belong to the leading flock so as to have their status confirmed. They meet in special clubs, restaurants, create forums and journals, and feed each others with free food, and “posho”. When do these creative, intellectual, economical independent or professional elites directly communicate with wananchi?
How is the opinion of wananchi (majority) brought into the open by the few who have control or have easy access to most opinion creating outlet? I once wrote praising the founders of Tanzanet “…. for the creation and enhancement of another democratic paraphernalia and for its advancement and enrichment of Tanzanians"I meant every word that I wrote. Many issues have been discussed on this forum and contributions have been stupendous unfortunately access to this forum has been of those that easily can access a computer and come on line and are in a mailing list. Contributions that have come into view are those of the intellectual elite, and one or two walala hoi but what of others that have thoughts but aren’t heard or can’t be seen? Has anyone considered what they want? Or have those that meet and discuss have only represented their issues and their sense of the world? There are certain ethical questions that should be asked.
Are the professional, cultural , political, religious, intellectual elite a danger to democracy?
How do we determine democracy? How do we measure it? Is it by the number of newspapers in the country? Or is it by the number of political parties and independent radio and television stations?
Lets look at Tanzania were probably 60% of the elite in the country have gone to school together, worked together or maybe even do business together. How does one constructively criticize each other without always thinking “this is a friend” or “someone I know”: You probably have attended his parties, you are intermarried and call each others “shemeji”, so kwa hivyo mnaheshimiana (criticisms could be regarded as kuvunjiana heshima if there is a difference of age (wazee na vijana), socio-political status, education and probably vyeo) and most probably differences have been solved without any major incidents.
Usually decisions are reached before the majority has had a chance to express their opinion.
In a democratic process if the participation of a few elitist is the only thing that counts, then what measure of democracy is there? Are the ideas of majority really represented or is it what the elite wants and in turn feed it to the journalists and pr-consultants? Why worry, the person that would write about you is sitting right beside you eating your food and taking your money how could he remain objective in his or her view of any given problem involving the elite’s issues?
It is said the intellectual and the intelligentsia often move in flocks and it is important for them to belong to the leading flock so as to have their status confirmed. They meet in special clubs, restaurants, create forums and journals, and feed each others with free food, and “posho”. When do these creative, intellectual, economical independent or professional elites directly communicate with wananchi?
How is the opinion of wananchi (majority) brought into the open by the few who have control or have easy access to most opinion creating outlet? I once wrote praising the founders of Tanzanet “…. for the creation and enhancement of another democratic paraphernalia and for its advancement and enrichment of Tanzanians"I meant every word that I wrote. Many issues have been discussed on this forum and contributions have been stupendous unfortunately access to this forum has been of those that easily can access a computer and come on line and are in a mailing list. Contributions that have come into view are those of the intellectual elite, and one or two walala hoi but what of others that have thoughts but aren’t heard or can’t be seen? Has anyone considered what they want? Or have those that meet and discuss have only represented their issues and their sense of the world? There are certain ethical questions that should be asked.
Are the professional, cultural , political, religious, intellectual elite a danger to democracy?
posted by bongozite @ 2:06 am
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