1. Some people do not genuinely think our society has the tools necessary to harness democracy at this point; and others argue democracy is a western value that just doesn’t suit our way of life.
2. Government apologists often use that and other similar arguments as an excuse to slow down steps towards democratization. One of their infamous phrases is “democracy takes time”.
Books and many articles have been written on this issue, specifically concerning Ethiopia. Readers are encouraged to do research on the topic. If you are a person that stands or claims to stand up for democracy in Ethiopia, it is better to know all the arguments that are raised against your stand. That way, you will be able to strengthen your own argument and present it boldly. Many poor Ethiopians, inside and outside Ethiopia, have fallen for these arguments and are in a confused state. So, those of us with resources need to educate ourselves, take a firm stand that’s based on substance and share it with as many people as we can.
Here’s what I have to say about it. Most Ethiopians may not understand democracy the way intellectuals do, or they may not even know the word itself or its meaning. But here is what they know:
- When an Ethiopian farmer says he is sick and tired of the government using land and fertilizers as leverages to get his vote and whatever else the government wants from him, he means that he wants justice.
- When an Ethiopian mother says she doesn’t want a Kebele official to use his position to pressure her on how to vote, she means she wants freedom.
- When Ethiopian government employees say they don’t like being pressured to become members of the ruling party, they mean they want freedom.
- When students say they don’t like the way their imaginations and creativity are being suppressed by the fear of government spies that infest the college and university campuses, they mean they want freedom.
- When jobless young people show their frustration at favoritism towards party members while applying for government jobs, they mean they want fairness and impartiality.
- When business owners express frustration and helplessness over favoritism towards party cronies when applying for government contracts or even licenses, they mean they want justice and fairness.
- When Ethiopians of all ages and gender and ethnic group say they are sick and tired of being imprisoned, beaten, tortured, displaced and their loved ones killed for how they voted, they mean they want freedom!
- When Ethiopian intellectuals say they are burdened and sickened by the atmosphere of fear that is perpetrated on college campuses, they mean they want freedom.
- When Ethiopian opposition Parliamentarians say they are tired of being threatened and their supporters and people around them persecuted, they mean they want freedom.
- When many Ethiopians say they are just sick and tired of living in fear, they mean they want freedom.
- When many Ethiopians say they want to see people they support and helped win elections work freely in parliament and hold government posts, they mean they want their votes to count.
- When Ethiopians say they are tired of public media being used to transmit single sided propaganda only and want to affect how it is used, they mean they want to be part of the decision making.
- When many Ethiopian say they are tired of looking at their police force and military as some strange forces that are there to attack them and not protect them, they mean they want them to be independent.
I can go on listing.
If these aren’t values of democracy they are seeking, I don’t know what is. However, whatever you call the hunger for freedom of thought and freedom of expression, freedom to tend to one’s farm peacefully, freedom to seek happiness and prosperity, right to live, justice, independent judiciary and other government institutions, etc….whatever you call those, Ethiopians want it! In fact, they have been longing for it for long; it is just that nobody listens.
As for those who are concerned that our society may not have all the tools that are necessary to harness democracy: the cure for that problem is NOT avoiding democracy. If, in fact, our society has all those problems, the only way we can address it is by opening up and allowing a free space for differing views so that we can educate each other. When we make openings, it is not only the ills that will be coming forth but the good ideas that will counter them. So, whether in delivering justice to the citizenry or allowing us to educate each other, we can benefit a great deal from democracy. It is a matter of fact that democratization is the most important step we can take towards fighting the ills of our society.
As for government apologists, the only thing the statement “democracy takes time” tells us is that all of us, primarily the government, should be turning over backwards to do all that is necessary to get to it fast. We should be using all the opportunities that continue to present themselves and taking all the steps towards democratization. What it does NOT mean is to sit down and do nothing about it, and it sure does not mean be an obstruction to it or take us backwards, which is what the EPRDF has been doing!
