© H. Christoph/Getty ImagesFILE PHOTO. Two Anlo chiefs holding a palaver, Ghana.
In the discourse of global governance, Western democracy often stands as the epitome of political organization and representation. Yet, across the African continent, there exists a critical perspective on Western democratic models.
Many Africans, informed by their rich tapestry of tradition, history, and social structures, believe in the necessity of re-evaluating Western democratic paradigms and advocating for forms of governance that are more rooted in African realities. This critical view stems from a deep-seated belief that Africa should develop its own forms of democracy, inspired by indigenous practices, religions, traditions, and communal values.
At the heart of the African critique of Western democracy lies the recognition of the dissonance between imported political systems and the diverse socio-political landscapes of African nations. Western democracy, often characterized by ultra-individualism, elitist power structures, and a focus on "progressivist" values, may not fully resonate with the communal ethos prevalent in many African societies. In contrast, traditional African governance systems, such as those found in various kingdoms, chiefdoms, and tribal structures, prioritize consensus-building, communal decision-making, and the integration of spiritual beliefs into governance.
Comment: The West, or a significant part of it, has clearly shown most recently through how they deal with Israel and Ukraine what they understand as democracy, and through their military actions since the NATO bombings of Yugoslavia, and before that Iraq, how they pretend to defend their so-called value system. In addition financial institutions controlled by the west, have debt trapped many countries.
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