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Democracy and development are fashionable concepts currently being cited by politicians and organizations involved in promoting development. However, Chads Prime Minister believes that it was necessary for his country to have a one-party government during 1962-75 to better facilitate the nation-building process. He also believes that the concept of democracy refers to the power of the people. Being free to express themselves, the people can censure the actions of their elected government. Far from being reserved for only a selected group of people or countries, democracy has universal vale and appeal. While African populations retain their traditional values, it does not mean that democracy is a luxury phenomenon for the continent. It simply means that prevailing values must be adapted over time. As for democracy in Chad, a multiparty state was created Order 15, enacted at the end of 1991. The first parties then began to form in 1992, and Chad now boasts almost 70 political parties and about 600 civic organizations. The population freely expresses itself and the mass media maintain a free hand to communicate regardless of what they say. Development can be defined as the occurrence of qualitative and quantitative changes in a societys path of economic progress. However, overall development must also include the human element in order to successfully effect sustainable human development. One must be optimistic about Africas political, democratic, and development future. The processes of economic development and democratic reform can evolve together.
‘Democracy as a Universal Value’, Journal of Democracy, 10 (3) (1999): 3–17. © 1999 National Endowment for Democracy and The Johns Hopkins University Press. Reprinted with permission of The Johns Hopkins University Press.
