By Y. UMUHUZA MUGISHA, JadeTimes News
The Road to Democracy in Developing Countries: Pathway to Success
The successful journey toward democracy in developing countries is extremely intricate and multi-dimensional in nature. It requires the convergence of political, social, and economic factors. Whereas in established democracies, democratic institutions have evolved over a long period, developing countries frequently face peculiar challenges in building up and maintaining democratic governance. Even in the face of these odds, the quest for democracy remains relevant, since it is the basis for political stability, economic development, and social justice. This pathway to democracy in developing nations involves struggles, adaptation, and gradual successes, all working together for this single goal of an ever more inclusive and accountable system of governance.
One of the major challenges on the road to democracy is the heritage of colonialism and authoritarianism. The majority of developing countries reached independence only in the middle of the 20th century, bequeathing systems of government that were often more autocratic than democratic. Most of these systems were engineered to hold on to power, not to empower people; therefore, they usually endowed centralised power structures resistant to transformation. Huge political reforms and breaking up of power structures set in, therefore, had to characterise transitions to democracy in such contexts. Resistance problems from beneficiaries of the status quo often attend democratisation processes.
Notwithstanding these difficulties, the drive for democracy in developing countries has been fuelled by demands for political participation, human rights, and accountability. People in such countries have increasingly had to feel that they really need to have a say in how they are governed, and leaders must be held accountable for their deeds. This demand, mostly manifested in popular movements, protests, and calls for reform, has actually led to major changes in many countries in terms of politics. For example, the wave of democratisation that swept through Africa in the 1990s saw many countries make a transition from military or one-party rule to multi-party-ism in response to increased popular pressure for democratic government.
Economic development is equally instrumental to the success of democracy in the third world countries. In turn, a sound economy can help provide the wherewithal for the development of democratic institutions, education, and the reduction of poverty—all conducive factors to a healthy democracy. It will also enhance economic growth that will foster the growth of the middle class, usually the backbone of democracies because they have a stake in maintaining political stability and the rule of law. In contrast, democratic governance could also be eroded by economic inequality, which concentrates powers in a few hands and sidelines large segments of the population. Therefore, pursuit by developing countries of economic policies that would be inclusive, leading to broad-based growth with reduced disparities, is very important.
The second important factor in this journey of democratisation is the establishment of strong institutions. The distinction between democracy in books and democracy as a reality lies in institutions: independent courts, free press, transparent electoral systems. The building up of these types of institutions in many developing countries has taken time and has required nothing less than not just legal reform but political cultural and attitudinal changes to the general public. In such cases, democratic success largely rests on whether such institutions are capable of withstanding such pressures exerted by political elites and perform independently and impartially.
The role played by civil society and media in supporting democracy in developing nations is very important. Many civil society organisations, such as NGOs, advocacy groups, and grassroots movements, often function as watchdogs, keeping governments at bay and engaging in national debates for the protection of citizen rights. An independent free press is important for the provision of information to citizens to make independent choices and in bringing to light corruption and misuses of power. In this light, it has often been civil society and the media that drive democratization efforts in many developing nations, often under very precarious conditions.
Though the paths that developing countries take to democracy are never free of risks, there is hope and inspiration from many examples of success. South Korea, Taiwan, and Ghana represent cases of impressive progress in building stable, inclusive, resilient democratic systems. It, therefore, demonstrates that despite the barriers, it is still very possible for developing countries to achieve democratic governance that truly considers the people's interest by promoting principles and criteria of justice and equality.
The journey to democracy in developing countries has been dynamic and continuous, requiring commitment, resilience, and the ability to adapt to circumstance.Though challenging and mostly checked by retrogressive processes, the pursuit of democracy is very important to such countries. Through the building of strong institutions, ensuring inclusive economic growth, and fostering active civil society, developing countries will be better equipped to overcome these numerous challenges that lie ahead and succeed in establishing democratic systems. At the end, it is a journey toward a better, more just, and fair future for all citizens.
