What is democracy? Tanzanians answer

  1. Posted on Tuesday 27 January 2009 - 18:33
    deo
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    Deo Simba, VoicesofAfrica mobile reporter in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
    What is democracy? Our understanding of 'democracy' differs from one person to another, from one group to another, from one country to another. It is a terminology of which we hear so much almost everyday especially on the media and from political leaders.
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    There are times when it does not make sense to us. Therefore, if one is asked 'What is democracy?' we are likely to hear different opinions and expressions. However, this question differs from another that goes: "Is there democracy in our society?" To the second question we may hear people reflecting on what goes on in their own societies or countries.

    We cannot deny, therefore, the importance of discussing the question of 'democracy' in any society/country. Most dictionaries would define 'democracy' as a government of the majority, that is, a system of governance that gives a say to the majority. Elections may be one way of measuring the level of democracy that exists in a given society/country. A visit to different streets in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, revealed different ways in which people understand and express democracy.

Reactions

  1. Posted on Friday 30 January 2009 11:55
    joefula
    Image of joefula


    1 berichten
    Lid sinds January 2009

    In Malawi democracy is the ruling party building while the opposition pulls them down. Rejecting the budget at the expense of voters and tax payers for personal and partisan reasons. In Malawi democracy has failed. It would be of great significance if peopleunderstood democracy first before hand. A very good example is USA where we only hear about two presidential aspirants. One wins the other loses but they congratulate each other. In Malawi we have more than two aspirants for this pint sized land. A shame.
    joefula modified this message on 30-01-2009 12:04 with 41%

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