In the next two months we will be celebrating 50 years of independence as a nation and any reflection of our successes, challenges and failures over the 50 year period can be measured in a variety of ways using a number of measures. The measures we could use will necessarily have to measure how we faired in the areas of democratic and good governance practices. A key measure of the two, amongst others, is the degree, level and quality of our participatory democracy. Participatory democracy, often referred to as direct democracy, is mainly about the right of citizens to participate in all important decisions that shape and affect their lives. These decisions would invariably include participation in the law making processes, initiation, development and rationalization of policies, design and crafting of development programmes and projects, as well as general engagement with the various institutions of the government.
Our democratic processes have included consultations and citizen involvement as critical aspects of engaging various groupings and communities to enhance participation on major policy making decisions. These have been through various methods such as kgotla meetings, workshops, conferences and other forms of engaging citizens. This was done because participatory democracy firstly, create opportunities for citizens in the different groupings and associations to be part of the decision making process; secondly, participatory democracy builds consensus on key matters of the state and its citizens and these cultivates a feeling of ownership among citizens. In developing nations such as ours, ownership of the development processes, especially the development framework as defined by laws, policies, programmes and projects, is critical for a much smoother development agenda. Lastly, when there is authentic deliberation laws and policies, it provides legitimacy to public laws and policies which is an embodiment of people been in power through participation and not abrogating their role to their representatives. This is so because participatory democracy entrusts an obligation on citizens and this is that they must participate on decisions made by their representatives, not representatives acting in isolation.
Participatory democracy therefore enriches consensus building on key legal and policy matters between elected representatives and their electorates. This is one of the key aspects of democracy and good governance because when consensus based decisions are made the outputs of such in the form of laws, policies and development programmes, are often seen and accepted as more legitimate and widely accepted than those outputs that are a result of decisions made by elected representatives acting independently or with less of participation from citizens. Participation is an essential part to the core meaning of any democratic and good governance practice. Amongst the positives that often emerge from participation are; an improved information flow between governments and citizens, where this flow of communication is a two way processes and each side’s input is clearly communicated, explained and openly discussed for the understanding and appreciation by the other side. All this done with the appreciation of each other’s input and acceptance that in any direct democracy or consensus based democracy, authority over the final definitions and resolution of public issues, concerns and challenges, lies with the collective. All must fully participate and present their views on matters of national interest and there must be trust and belief that divergent viewpoints are only a source for much richer outputs.
Secondly, participatory democracy creates a healthy environment for effective and transparent accountability. On the basis of consensus built decisions, it becomes easy for the public to demand and enforce accountability from their leaders and representatives are also guided on what and how to easily account to citizens because the framework of the laws and policies were agreed by both parties. Thirdly, participatory democracy enhances due process, where citizens as individuals and mainly as the collective are well vested on the legal processes and requirements for redress in the event they are short changed by their representatives. Lastly, it is a way of creating space for citizens to provide feedback to their leaders so that the impact and effects of laws and policies are fully understood and appreciated by the government’s leadership. This particularly central to progressive and value led development processes because governments are not necessarily the best judges of smooth and operational efficiency of their efforts. The voice and perception of the recipients of government services and goods is central to an effective participatory democracy.
It is only when government fully engages its citizens, in their varied and diverse forms, such as civil societies, advocacy groups, the youth, labour movements, opposition parties, tribal groupings, cultural associations, the media and more importantly, communities as in villages, that participatory democracy takes root. The long term effect of an entrenched participatory democracy is a healthy and necessary trust and confidence amongst citizens on their political leaders. History has shown over the years that when trust and confidence on government are lacking amongst citizens, government efforts and initiatives are often stymied and in the long term communities and various groupings may become dysfunctional. Any dysfunctional tendencies are not a good recipe for unity and good governance practices because the long term effects of such has been resistance from various social, political and institutional contenders which may compromise the peace and tranquillity of a nation.
There is need for us, as we celebrate 50 years of independence to revisit our ways of entrenching and building a nation that upholds participatory democracy. This would include the way government has been engaging citizens on matters that are of importance to the nation, especially the promulgation of laws and crafting of policies that defines citizens day to day ways of life. A vibrant participatory democracy demands direct and consensus based democracy, representatives acting independently and passing laws and policies with insufficient participation by citizens is a direct affront on this well cherished principle. It is a principle that modern democracies are built upon and any measure of democracy and good governance has to include it. When citizens believe there is authentic deliberation on the country’s laws, policies and development initiatives, they will view and understand such as legitimate pieces that defines their development concerns, expectations and priorities as a nation.
*Molaodi teaches Public Administration at the University of Botswana
