I really need to know if “Periodic Elections” is the only thing that characterises Democracy.
..
If there are other things, I need to know all of them..
..
(The Nigerian Democracy had always been like as if the only thing that is democratic about it is the “periodic elections”, and nothing else -- I don't want to believe this though)

I am here to learn from the politcal gurus.

Lalasticlala,
Seun

The players in our democratic system are not just the right person..

Blame the leadership of all the political parties

BluntCrazeMan:
I really need to know if “Periodic Elections” is the only thing that characterises Democracy.
..
If there are other things, I need to know all of them..
..
(The Nigerian Democracy had always been like as if the only thing that is democratic about it is the “periodic elections”, and nothing else -- I don't want to believe this though)

“Democracy” is simply a SCAM

biafraWarrior:


“Democracy” is simply a SCAM

But “Democracy” is what we have already.
..
Can we make it work?
Is there a way to make it work?

A lot of the rascalities of the ruling parties (which includes the abandonment of the laws while making policies) are partly blamed on the opposition parties for not doing their job of opposition very well.
..
And I am now asking:
“What exactly are the jobs of the opposition?”
Is it to publish the rascalities of the ruling parties on the news and social media?
Or to sue the ruling parties to court?
..
I mean, what exactly are they supposed to be doing?
..
By extension:
“What exactly are the jobs of a non-partisan citizen who really wants to make an impact on the politcal system in a democratic system?”

BluntCrazeMan:
But that is what we have already.
..
Can we make it work?
Is there a way to make it work?

In all honesty, the Nigeria political system is weak and majority of the Nigerian people have psychological problems. GOOD Education and GOOD LEADERS is one way to make things right

biafraWarrior:


In all honesty, the Nigeria political system is weak and majority of the Nigerian people have psychological problems. GOOD Education and GOOD LEADERS is one way to make things right

Thanks for your contributions.
..
But apart from “Periodic Elections”; are there other things that characterises Democracy?

biafraWarrior:


“Democracy” is simply a SCAM

This simply means you have no clue what DEMOCRACY is

That the country has suffered from bad leadership doesn't make DEMOCRACY a SCAM

DEMOCRACY is freedom, freedom is Godliness

Tajbol4splend:




This simply means you have no clue what DEMOCRACY is

That the country has suffered from bad leadership doesn't make DEMOCRACY a SCAM

DEMOCRACY is freedom, freedom is Godliness

Finally, someone is here to give me the answers I needed.
..
Please, apart from the “Periodic Elections”; are there other things that characterises Democracy?
..
What exactly is it that makes Democracy Freedom? (Since citizens cannot freely participate in it, except they participate through their representatives, and these so-called representatives are also inaccessible, while they continued to represent themselves rather than be representing their constituents)

BluntCrazeMan:
Thanks for your contributions.
..
But apart from “Periodic Elections”; are there other things that characterises Democracy?

First of all what is the true meaning of “Democracy”?

Democracy is simply the rule of the people.

Now how do the people rule in Nigeria? We rule using “Representative Democracy”.

In representative democracy, you choose by voting and it is expected that the representatives carry out the will of the people.

APART FROM THAT I DON’T SEE HOW THE PEOPLE CAN DO ANYTHING IN A DEMOCRACY EXCEPT TO PRESSURE AND LOBBY

BluntCrazeMan:
Thanks for your contributions.
..
But apart from “Periodic Elections”; are there other things that characterises Democracy?

Democracy is not FREEDOM

biafraWarrior:


Democracy is not FREEDOM

Let us assume a Perfect Democratic System now..
..
The Democracy of our dreams.
..
Now, tell us what you think of Democracy.

BluntCrazeMan:
Let us assume a Perfect Democratic System now..
..
The Democracy of our dreams.
..
Now, tell us what you think of Democracy.

What exactly is “The Democracy of our dreams”?

biafraWarrior:


First of all what is the true meaning of “Democracy”?

Democracy is simply the rule of the people.

Now how do the people rule in Nigeria? We rule using “Representative Democracy”.

In representative democracy, you choose by voting and it is expected that the representatives carry out the will of the people.

APART FROM THAT I DON’T SEE HOW THE PEOPLE CAN DO ANYTHING IN A DEMOCRACY EXCEPT TO PRESSURE AND LOBBY

Thanks..
I understand you better now.

biafraWarrior:


What exactly is “The Democracy of our dreams”?

Where citizens feel the full participation in the Government.
Not just in the politics alone, but also in the Government itself.

biafraWarrior:


What exactly is “The Democracy of our dreams”?

We can only achieve the democracy of our dreams if

The main party fulfill majority of their promises

If the opposition criticize constructively and suggest solutions to the problems facing the country

If the citizens play their roles in the so called democracy by electing credible people in power

BluntCrazeMan:
Where citizens feel the full participation in the Government.
Not just in the politics alone, but also in the Government itself.

Then that would lead to “Direct Democracy”

BluntCrazeMan:
Finally, someone is here to give me the answers I needed.
..
Please, apart from the “Periodic Elections”; are there other things that characterises Democracy?
..
What exactly is it that makes Democracy Freedom? (Since citizens cannot freely participate in it, except they participate through their representatives, and these so-called representatives are also inaccessible, while they continued to represent themselves rather than be representing their constituents)

You can't use Nigeria setting to judge what DEMOCRACY is, the route problem of a faulty DEMOCRATIC system is not the leadership, it's the followership because the followership is a far stronger entity than the leadership. The leadership in the real sense should be afraid of the followership but in the Nigeria setting, even the PhD holder doesn't know his right. One major problem in the Nigeria setting that makes the leadership look more powerful than the followership is the division in the followership. I always say that the kind of leadership we have had in Nigeria is a reflection of what the followership is, there's more to talk about in Nigeria, but let me go and observe Subuhi

BluntCrazeMan:
I really need to know if “Periodic Elections” is the only thing that characterises Democracy.
..
If there are other things, I need to know all of them..
..
(The Nigerian Democracy had always been like as if the only thing that is democratic about it is the “periodic elections”, and nothing else -- I don't want to believe this though)

I have been saying this since, we should focus on strengthening the “Rule of Law”. Democracy is a term that has lost its original meaning.

Democracy is simply the rule of the people, that is where it ends

YOU SEE THE DIFFERENCE IN THAT PICTURE BETWEEN USA AND NIGERIA

2005 map of Worldwide Governance Indicators, which attempts to measure the extent to which agents have confidence in and abide by the rules of society.

Good Question.

Others are Police(Social security. The basis of Fundamental human Rights ascertainment, maintenance and protection)

And RESOURCES (Finding and expending all available measure of VALUE RELATIONSHIP. This is Economic security).

ELECTIONS is Political DEVOLUTION of AUTHORITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES for selecting, appointing and electing REPRESENTATIVES to grassroots local Government and STATES.

The essence is to ensure that everyone is involved.

From Orunto27.

Democracy as it ought to be


It's a "people's government". In a sane democratic government, the people elect representatives and the decisions and actions taken by those constituted authorities are supposed to be for the interest of the majority while still respecting the opinions of the minority. That's one of the characteristics of Democracy.

Also is the existence of a constitution/ the rule of law which sees the constitution as
supreme. The constitution is supposed to guide all actions. So in meeting the interest of the majority, authorities are not supposed to work outside of the law. It's the checking factor in play to prevent abuse of power.

A periodic free and fair election- Being a people's government, the people get to decide who represents them over a period of time and if their representative isn't meeting up to expectation, we elect someone else.

Existence of Rights- For all (majority plus minority). So even if I don't belong to the majority that voted in a ruling party, my rights should still be respected and upheld.

Public opinion as well. If not, how exactly are the people supposed to be heard Could be through the media, peaceful protests and demonstrations...

There's separation of powers amongst others...


Democracy is meant to serve, it's supposed to be beautiful, give the people a voice, and it's supposed to unite a people. But this is all "as it ought to be" not "as is practiced in Nigeria".

I think what Op is trying to picture is that the only thing democratic in Nigeria is only elections,aside coming out to vote there's nothing absolutely democratic in Nigeria (qoute me wrong)

BluntCrazeMan:
I really need to know if “Periodic Elections” is the only thing that characterises Democracy.
..
If there are other things, I need to know all of them..
..
(The Nigerian Democracy had always been like as if the only thing that is democratic about it is the “periodic elections”, and nothing else -- I don't want to believe this though)

This is more or less a project topic and you want to gathe our ideas to write it as it's your original idea...

yanabasee1:



This is more or less a project topic and you want to gathe our ideas to write it as it's your original idea...

What exactly are you trying to say??
..
So, if I gather up to 300 ideas from different individuals and combine them to make my own unique idea, and then give the credit to this very thread here, is there anything wrong with it??
Like, what exactly is your real wahalla??

biafraWarrior:


Then that would lead to “Direct Democracy”

Please, can you throw more light on the “Direct Democracy”??
How exactly is the direct participation of the citizens achieved?

BluntCrazeMan:
Please, can you throw more light on the “Direct Democracy”??
How exactly is the direct participation of the citizens achieved?

I no sabi government or politics
It’s on google sha

biafraWarrior:


I no sabi government or politics
It’s on google sha

I know about Google.
But I want Nairaland.
Thanks