Does democracy work?

Is democracy something that should remain an integral part of our politics—especially in Africa—or is it time we admit that it only exists on paper and not in practice?

Recently, in 2023, the world watched in broad daylight as voter apathy rocked Zimbabwe. The ruling party, ZANU-PF, was accused of working hand-in-glove with the electoral board responsible for counting and verifying votes. More like a soccer team cozying up to the referee and linesmen.

This was supported by several investigative reports published by accredited journalists like Hopewell Chin’ono. As the election drew closer, the government allegedly began vote-buying—rewarding electoral officials with posh cars and houses. Judges were also allegedly pampered, just in case their ‘victory’ was challenged—ensuring a favorable outcome in the courts.

The level of corruption has reached such alarming levels that many citizens have lost faith in the voting process altogether. It is now widely believed that opposition parties are simply decoys—puppets of the ruling party, paid to create the illusion of a functioning democracy and a multi-party system. Talk about lions in sheep’s clothing.

This has led some to question whether it’s even worth pretending anymore. Maybe it would be more honest and cost-effective to simply declare Zimbabwe a one-party state. Doing so could save millions currently allocated to political parties—funds that could instead be redirected toward national development and service delivery. That money could be used to revive our dilapidated roads, crumbling infrastructure, and especially our failing hospitals that have become a national health scare.

History has also shown us that being a one-party state does not necessarily mean a country is doomed to fail. Take Libya under Muammar Gaddafi, for example. Despite the lack of Western-style democracy, the country had robust infrastructure and a functioning economy—especially when compared to the chaos and collapse seen after Gaddafi’s fall and the introduction of so-called democracy.

In contemporary times, we can look at China—a one-party state that has, against all odds, risen to become a fierce global power. It has lifted millions out of poverty and become a leader in global innovation and trade. So the question remains: Do democracies really work for us, or is it time to do away with the philosophy altogether and adopt systems that are better suited to our unique societal contexts?