This archive report was first published on 28 July 2019.
July 28, 2019, was a day that left me questioning the very fabric of our society. A 3am thought had me wide awake, pondering the possibility that democracy might not be the ideal system of governance we've been led to believe.
As I delved deeper into this thought, I couldn't help but think of the words of Africanist political thinkers who claim that democracy is not natural for Africans. They argue that we need to find our own way of doing things, but what does that even mean?
I've always dismissed this notion on the premise that democracy simply means 'rule by the people.' However, as I looked around at the chaos and instability in the world, I began to wonder if this was indeed the case.
From the United States to the United Kingdom, it seems that even the most established democracies are struggling to maintain stability. The rise of populist leaders and the erosion of trust in institutions have left many questioning the effectiveness of democracy.
As a young person, I've always been taught that democracy is the best system of governance, but what if that's not true? What if democracy is just a myth, a concept that sounds good on paper but fails to deliver in practice?
I want to believe in democracy, I really do. I want to cast my vote and participate in the decision-making process. But as I look around at the world, I'm starting to wonder if that's even possible.
Perhaps it's time for us to rethink our approach to governance. Maybe it's time for us to explore alternative systems that prioritize the needs of the people over the interests of the powerful.
As I lay in bed that night, I couldn't shake off the feeling that democracy might not be the answer. But I'm not sure what the alternative is, and that's what keeps me up at night.
