The human society is one of the most complex settings that ever existed, an environment where nothing and everything works simultaneously. The somersault of every government structure that ever existed has never been about the defectiveness of the structure but humans defiance.
Democracy was designed to save us from tyranny and creating a system of government that ensures the involvement of the people in every major political decisions, a representative government that rules on behalf of the people, with the people's interest being the utmost priority.
Government of the people, by the people, for the people - as defined by abram Lincoln, an acute definition of what the practice of democracy is meant to be or what it should have been but is that what we have now?
The apple has really fallen far from the tree with no safety net to hold onto, our greed and corrupt practices has birthed dubious leaders with enormous hunger for power causing havoc and Chaos to the country, laying waste to the desirable objectives outlined for a democratic state.
Is the issue truly the practice of democracy or the people? Has there ever been any system of government without disadvantages? Thomas Hobbes recognised the significance and influence of human greed in his deduction of social contract theory, creating salience for the fact that the somersault of every policy depends on the interpretation and acceptance of we humans which dictates what works and what doesn't.
A democratic state like Nigeria populated with different ethnic groups and tribes is said to have fallen from grace due to the rapid deterioration of the country in every sector. An average person would definitely believe the issue with my country is democracy but it is not, It is more of the way it is being practiced.
Imagine buying a brand new car, over time due to usage it will definitely develop issues but you chose to ignore it. The issue began to hinder your day to day life activities, till one day you are driving on a major road and the car breaks down completely blocking the road, restricting other users from making use of the road. Now imagine someone suddenly saying cars are bad due to the issues it has caused, do you think the car is the issue or the owner? Just like this illustration, that is how I view the issues with democracy in my country.
The challenges of the democracy in my country involves; tribalism, corrupt electoral system, lack of independent judiciary, uneducated electorate and lack of a proper vetting system for political candidates.
These issues and shortcomings of the practice of democracy in my country goes on and on but is there a solution? truly there is which is where the concept of Libertarian democracy comes in, a more reformed type of democracy.
Just like the name goes, it is the type of democracy that liberates people, creating a system whereby the government is held accountable for their actions by the people, creating salience for corrupt practices across all media entities and creating a means of enlightenment for the people in order for them to exercise their franchise right - the right way.
But then like I said earlier, the problem has always been the people not the structure of government, we enslave ourselves by putting or voting the wrong people into office. Who would we empower with the responsibility of ensuring true libertarian democracy is practiced in Nigeria? Is it the people? Sadly I have no idea.
This write-up was inspired by weekly featured content titled Democracy in hive learners community.
Cover image - 𝖣𝖾𝗌𝗂𝗀𝗇𝖾𝖽 𝗎𝗌𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖼𝖺𝗇𝗏𝖺
Image 1 - Source
Image 1 - Source
