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 Periodical article |
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| Title: | Democratic practice in Africa: some arguments |
| Author: | Kaphagawani, Didier N. |
| Year: | 1993 |
| Periodical: | Quest: An International African Journal of Philosophy |
| Volume: | 7 |
| Issue: | 2 |
| Period: | December |
| Pages: | 77-91 |
| Language: | English |
| Notes: | biblio. refs. |
| Geographic term: | Africa |
| Subjects: | democracy one-party systems multiparty systems politics political science |
| Abstract: | On the presumption that almost all of Africa has been or currently is, de facto or de jure, politically monistic, the present paper analyses some common arguments for and against political monism (monopartyism) on the one hand, and political pluralism (multipartyism) on the other. Of the arguments proffered in favour of political monism, four are critically examined, namely the traditional argument (political monism is in accordance with African political culture and traditions), the ethnocentric argument (political monism is necessary to resolve intratribal conflict and preserve national unity), the de facto argument (postcolonial experience has resulted in political monism) and the development argument (political monism is necessary for rapid development). Two arguments in favour of political pluralism in Africa - that of toleration and that of accountability - are then considered. The author concludes that analysts of traditional Africa seem to be proposing a hermeneutic approach to current political problems. The caveat hermeneutics, inspired by H. Gadamer, is issuing to those heavily engaged in the introduction of political puralism in Africa is that their positions are not immune from flaws. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. in French (p. 76). |