Democratic Process and Practices | General Studies
Democracy is the government in which the highest power is held by the people.
Historical development of democracy
Democracy originated in
Greece in the city of Athens in the 6th century B.C. People exercised power
directly to the government. They were making decisions and opinions together.
Process of democratization in Tanzania
Before colonialism, Tanzania
was ruled by kings. For example, Mkwawa ruled the Hehe and Milambo ruled the Nyamwezi.
When the colonists invaded Tanzania, they established democracy and many political
parties were formed. Among the parties formed were TANU, AMNUT and UTP. It was
in 1965, when Tanzania banned all political party, only remained TANU. But in
1992, Tanzania restored multi-party system. Political Parties such as CCM, CUF and
NCCR-MAGEUZI were formed and participated in the 1995 General Election.
Role of the government in democratic process
1. Educating citizens about democracy
Government educate people
about democracy. Also, it motivate them to run for political leadership
positions during general election.
2. Inclusion of bill of rights in the
constitution
Bill of rights ensures the
rights of people, equality before the law and freedom of expression, all of
this are elements of democracy.
3. Enhance freedom of press
For democracy to flourish,
all media must be free, which means that people are free to talk. The media has
the potential to promote democracy by allowing different ideas and opinions
from different sources. For example, with freedom of press, political parties
such as CHADEMA, CUF, ACT, CHAUMMA and others will give their opinion and facts
and this will promote democracy.
4. Protects individual rights
Government protects
individual rights so that citizens in a democracy can undertake their civic
obligations and responsibilities, thereby strengthening the society as a whole.
5. Make commitment to its people and international communities to improve democratic process in the country
Commitment will make people
and the world at large believe that Tanzania is a democratic country, it will
remain to the government leaders to prove the level of democracy in their
country.
6. Promote peace and security
A peaceful country makes
people have confidence to express their views. For example, because Tanzania is
a peaceful country, people are free to express their views, sometimes there are
incidence when people are being kidnapped because of political differences, and
this is bad as it destroy the image of our country.
Effect of abuse of power in a democratic society
Abuse of power is the misuse
of a position of power to take unjust advantage of individuals, organizations,
or governments. Additionally, a leader can abuse power by torturing or killing
people for any reasons and using public fund for personal gains, to mention but
a few. The following are the effects of abuse of power in a democratic society:
1. Rebellion
Abuse of power causes people
to rebel because they are tired of the persecution of their leaders. So they decides
to seek an alternative way as a solution, this end up in formation of rebel
groups. For example, because of the abuse of power, we see rebel forces in
Congo, Somalia and Nigeria.
2. Underdevelopment
When a leader spends public
money for his own benefit, the country cannot achieve development. For
instance, when a leader misuse public money intended to build a school,
education will be at stake.
3. Exploitation
High percentage of
government money comes from the citizens as they pay taxes. When those money
are misused, it is exploitation of the citizens who paid tax through hard work.
4. Corruption
There are leaders who are
corrupt, for example, they use public fund for personal gains, and employ
people based on ethnicity, religion or relatives.
5. Creates
ills feelings among political opponents
Kidnaping and killing
political opponents, creates ills feeling. Many political opponents due to fear,
stop giving their opinions so as a result leaders do what they wish.
6. Assassination of leaders
In some cases leaders who
abuse power may be assassinated. The consequences of abuse of power are
enormous and that’s the reason many leaders are advised against the abuse of power.
The roles and responsibilities of individual citizens in a democratic society
1. Active participation in the community development
A citizen ought to be active
in activities such as agricultural activities and others.
2. Participation in prevention of crime and reporting
Citizens has the role and
responsibility of providing great cooperation to the forces such as police in
order to deal effectively with any social crime in the society.
3. Timely payment of taxes
Citizens are required to pay
taxes to support the development of their country. Tax paid, helps in providing
various social services such as roads, electricity, water and education.
4. Respect of the law
Its citizen’s responsibility
to respect all laws in the country. Respecting laws make the country peaceful.
5. Respect others rights
Citizens are responsible to
respect human rights. These are: right to life, right to own property, freedom
of assembly and freedom of press.
6. Participating in political matters
Citizens cannot avoid
politics in their country due to the fact that politics run everything. So it’s
better to participate in political matters to make sure that good leaders are
chosen. Imagine, citizens standing in political meetings and joining political
organization.
Effects of neglecting individual roles and responsibilities in a democratic society
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Poor community development.
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Increase of crime.
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Tax evasion. Whereby people avoid paying tax.
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Violation of the law.
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Abuse of human rights.
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Lack of participation in political matters.
The practice of human rights in Tanzania
The Universal Declaration of
Human Rights was adopted by the UN General Assembly in Paris on 10 December
1948 during its 183rd plenary meeting. This declaration has been implemented
well in several states in the world including Tanzania.
In 1984, the Tanzania Constitution
was amended to include a bill of rights which contains 21 articles which stipulate
the right and duties of a citizen. Through inclusion of a bill of rights, all
Tanzanians are guaranteed equal rights.
Development of human rights in Tanzania
Development of human rights
in Tanzania is traced by looking at the three phases:
Pre-colonial phase
During this phase, African
cultures respected human rights. For instance, there was a sense of collective
rights and right to elders to be respected by children.
Colonial phase
During colonial phase, human
rights never respected. Africans suffered from human right abuse like,
exploitation, racial segregation and being killed by Europeans. Colonial era
was a lost period of human rights in Tanzania.
Post-colonial phase
This phase is informed by
three constitutional development:
In 1961 Tanzania attained
her independence. However, the independence constitution of 1961 did not have
the bill of human rights although this does not mean that there was no
negotiation to include bill of rights in the constitution. At that particular
time, the constitution intended to defend the British. So Mwalimu Nyerere, the
then prime minister was against the introduction of the bill of rights because
it could be one sided and not for Tanganyika.
The republic constitution of
1962 on the other hand, included the appendages of the independence
constitution. However, the introduction of bill of rights was not advocated for
because of fear that it could lead to division among people of a newly
independent state. Focus was on nation building.
The interim constitution of
1965 made Tanzania a one party state and there was a debate whether a bill of
rights should be introduced but following the supremacy of the party, the bill
of rights was not included in the constitution, instead human rights were only
mentioned in the preamble which is not legally binding.
The permanent constitution
of 1977 did not introduce the bill of rights but only remained stated in the
preamble. It was until 1984 when the bill of rights was introduced in the
constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania. This is always referred to as
an important milestone to the development of human rights in Tanzania.
The role of individuals and government in enhancing human rights in Tanzania
1. Preventing crime and
reporting to the appropriate authority.
2. Providing education to
the public on the negative impact of violation of human rights.
3. Promotion of good
governance and rule of law. All people should be equal before the law.
4. Government has to prevent
killings to innocent people.
5. Parliament has to pass
laws that prohibit all traditional practices which hinder promotion of human
rights in the society such as: female genital mutilation, wife battering,
forced marriage and others.
6. Strict measures have to
be taken by the government in laying down strategies to curb down corruption.
Additional notes
Functions of political party
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A political party contests elections by
putting up candidates.
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They give a direction to the policies adopted
by the government.
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They criticize the government for their
failures.
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Political parties shape public opinion. With
the help of the pressure groups, the parties launch movements for solving
problems faced by the people.
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A political party can form government, especially
the party that won general election. For example CCM political party is the
party which form government in Tanzania.
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Political party educate people about
different political matters and human rights.
Human rights abuse in Tanzania
Human right abuse is the violation
of the basic rights of people by treating them wrongly.
How human rights abuse is experienced in Tanzania
Bad traditional practice
such as female genital mutilation.
Killing of old people
(women) with red eyes in place like Shinyanga and Mwanza.
Extra judicial killings. An
extrajudicial killing is the killing of a person by governmental authorities
without the sanction of any judicial proceeding or legal process, other than in
lawful military and police operations. They often target political, trade
union, dissident, religious and social figures. For example, people who
criticize government can be killed.
Mob violence. Mob violence
occurs when a group of people or part of the community decide to punish those
suspected to commit wrongs in the community. For example, people can stone a
thief to death.
Political violence. For
example, in January 27th 2001, Pemba clashes between government
police and CUF supporters. About 31 people were killed, 294 injured and nearly
2000 people took flight into exile in Mombasa Kenya.
Forceful eviction, which is
the permanent or temporary removal against their will of individuals, families
and/or communities from the homes and/or land which they occupy.
Forced marriage.
Cruelty against children.
Corruption.
Weak justice system.
Revision Questions
1. Analyse six features
which show that Tanzania upholds the rule of law.
2. Explain any six obstacles
for democratization process in Africa.
3. “In order to survive in a
political system, the political parties must perform some basic roles.” In the
light of this quotation, evaluate six functions of political parties.
4. Describe six reasons for
the people to vote in an election.
5. Assess how human rights
abuse is experienced in Tanzania. Give six points.
6. Describe six major
functions of the Tanzania Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance.
7. Why do people vote for
their leaders? Explain by giving six points.
8. Examine six principles of
democracy which are practiced in Tanzania.
9. In nine points, explain
the basic rights and freedoms of citizens in Tanzania.
10. Describe the
contributions of the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to the promotion and protection
of human rights in Tanzania (give six points).