[wanabidii] Do we need a dictatorship?

How many times have you heard a friend or a colleague or a relative
say "we need a dictatorship in this country" for things to move. For
me, the frame that democracy and freedom can hinder progress is very
interesting. And, this idea is even more interesting here because it
is not subscribed just by the political elite who would thrive under
any form of government. Regular people call for dictatorship! Perhaps
people in Bongo do not care so much that they are able to read 13
daily newspapers. (Yes, we have 13 dailies!)

But, what is behind this yearning for a dictatorship? Perhaps there
is some validity in the idea that the whole apparatus of democratic
accountability is cumbersome, and that it requires the maturity of
institutions (which comes with time, expense, and a proper political
culture) for democracy to deliver a better life. And, since democracy
inherently breeds contentious relationships, you probably need some
"sociological capacity" to consume democratic freedoms (and to handle
contentious politics arising out of stronger labor unions, nasty
editors, shouting opposition leaders, etc).

No doubt, democracy is of intrinsic value but should it be an end in
itself? In Western democracies, freedom is only useful to an extent
that it enhances a good life. America is always cited as the land of
opportunity because of its system of democracy. But Singapore has
achieved the American dream, but not in the American way.
Singaporeans' average life expectancy is now 71 years. No one is
homeless. Virtually everyone has a job. To produce his economic
miracle, Lee Kuan Yew interfered with every aspect of Singaporean
life. And try to find an unhappy Singaporean. You will be hard
pressed.

The key thing is that Singapore is a dictatorship with no corruption.
It's an economy that uses capitalist means to attain socialist ends.
Something to learn there.

by January Makamba

--
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Pata nafasi mpya za Kazi www.kazibongo.blogspot.com
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