USA Africa Dialogue Series - GOOD POINT‹Re: Lecture

Richard,   Good point indeed. …" …We continue to seek 'a democracy that works'. "  Thank you. 

Could I suggest "a system of 'Participant Governance' that works …" might afford more appropriate wording? 

Folk should be made aware/ be reminded that to the Greek originators some 2500 years ago "democracy" was the final/ degraded/ Illegitimate form of popular governance in the Cycle of Constitutions. 

Use of the term "Participant Governance" can greatly help open modern thinking clear of the "democracy" mantra/ myth applicable to nearly all modern governments—many of these dicatorial/ authoritarian. 

What we need is "Governments that Work". ( See, Ch3. "Evolving African Governments that Work," in my On Wings of Light). And these may have elements of the "polity" (Ancient Greek word for the Legitimate form of Popular Governance) combined with other elements which draw on other/ relevant/ applicable) traditions and concepts. 

And this applies equally to different countries/ regions which beneath the "democratic mantra" operate from, for instance:  "autocratic-feudal" traditions (UK); "wild west/ frontier ethic" traditions (US, and more restrained Canada version); "monarchical/ acephalous" traditions (most Africa Governments). 

Our wondrous Deeemocracy, dear Richard, has had its day. The concept has been outrageously used and abused. It means everything and nothing. Tis merely a useful piece of rhetorical elastic deployed most notably by Dictators, and of course by elected folk here in UK keen to emphasis their responsible/ accountability to the people. …Elected Reps who of course pay less and less attention to voters—e.g., the millions of electors who Opposed the Iraq "liberation"; the more recent UK decision to bomb Syria. …Etc. …

Words do have meaning, and impact—which Govts and Meedja know well. On the face of it, virtually ALL the world's Governments are "Deemocracies." They're not. The language needs pruning and adjustment. Only this way, can we hope to know/ understand/ duly respect all these very different systems in terms of what they ARE. …

A bit like buying a modern shoe. In days past there were different widths. Now there is often only one. Tis the true "democratic shoe". We must ALL fit in the ONE width. And if you don't? Tough. Your feet may eventually reach compromise with the shoe. On the other hand you may be hobbled/ your feet irreparably damaged. …But because there is no other option, and you continue to purchase these shoes; the shoe industry can shrug its shoulders and claim that the "shoe fits/ can be made to fit everyone." 

So you see? Deemocracy fits everyone. Simple. What's all the fuss?

Enough. 

Best,  Baba m

From: Prof Ayo OLUKOTUN <ayo_olukotun@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: Prof Ayo OLUKOTUN <ayo_olukotun@yahoo.com>
Date: Friday, 1 April 2016 10:28
To: Prof Ayo OLUKOTUN <ayo_olukotun@yahoo.com>, Prof Toyin FALOLA <toyinfalola@austin.utexas.edu>, USA-AFRICA dialogue <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>, Tade Aina <tadeakinaina@yahoo.com>, Prof Taiwo OWOEYE <sistertees@hotmail.com>, takehinde <takehinde@yahoo.com>, <taleomole@yahoo.com>, <tbalogunoo@yahoo.com>, Tiwa <tiwaolugbade@yahoo.com>, Tolulope Sajobi <ttsajobi@ucalgary.ca>, tony afejuku <tonyafejuku@yahoo.com>, Tunde Bewaji <tunde.bewaji@gmail.com>, Tunji Olaopa <tolaopa2003@gmail.com>, Tunde Oseni <tundeoseni@gmail.com>, "Dr O.A. DOSUMU" <toksx@yahoo.com>, Prof Richard JOSEPH <richardjoseph65@gmail.com>, Attahiru Jega <attahirujega@yahoo.com>, Attehsun <attehsun@yahoo.com>, Emmanuel Remi Aiyede <eaiyede@yahoo.com>, Ephraim Aor <rainbowtumise@gmail.com>, Adebayo <adebayow@hotmail.com>, Adebayo Olukoshi <olukoshi@gmail.com>, Adigun Agbaje <adigunagbaje@yahoo.com>, Akinlawon Mabogunje <mabogunje1931@yahoo.com>, akin osuntokun <akinosuntokun@yahoo.com>, Alaba OGUNSANWO <alabaogunsanwo@gmail.com>, Prof Alli <alliwo@yahoo.co.uk>, Ronke Ako-nai <riakonai@yahoo.com>, "Akinadeniyi, Oluyemisi" <O.Akinadeniyi@fordfoundation.org>, Innocent Chukwuma <I.Chukwuma@fordfoundation.org>, Dr Banji OYEYINKA <boyeyinka@hotmail.com>, bankole omotoso <ajibabi@outlook.com>, BGI Legal <bgilegalservices@gmail.com>, Dr Florence Falola <bisifalola@gmail.com>, bode fasakin <bodefasakin@yahoo.co.uk>, Chibuzo NWOKE <chibuzonwoke@yahoo.com>, Christian Ogbondah <chris.ogbondah@uni.edu>, <dapo.thomas@yahoo.com>, Dele Layiwola <delelayiwola@yahoo.com>, Deji Olaolu Haastrup <DejiHaastrup@chevron.com>, Dewale Yagboyaju <aswaj2003@yahoo.com>, <fadesola@oauife.edu.ng>, Femi Falana <falanalagos@yahoo.com>, Francis Egbokhare <foegbokhare@yahoo.com>, Gabriel Ogunmola <gbogunmola@yahoo.com>, <ggdarah@yahoo.com>, Habib Aruna <habiblifeagain@gmail.com>, Hafsat Abiola <hafsatabiola@hotmail.com>, <jgsanda@gmail.com>, Kayode Soremekun <paddykay2002@yahoo.com>, Lai Olurode <olurode@yahoo.com>, lanre oluwaniyi <lanre1256@hotmail.com>, Jibo <jibo72@yahoo.com>, Jide Owoeye <babsowoeye@gmail.com>, Jide Oluwajuyitan <joluwajuyitan@gmail.com>, Niyi Akinnaso <niyi.tlc@gmail.com>, Niyi Osundare <oosunda1@uno.edu>, Ngozi <mediaworldintl@yahoo.com>, <madeyeye2002@yahoo.com>, Mamora <senatormamora@yahoo.com>, Michael VICKERS <mvickers@mvickers.plus.com>, Obadare Ebenezer Babatunde <obadare@ku.edu>, Obadiah Mailafia <obmailafia@gmail.com>, Ladipo ADAMOLEKUN <dipo7k@yahoo.com>, Dr Olajumoke YACOB-HALISO <jumoyin@yahoo.co.uk>, <p.nwulu@fordfoundation.org>, Pa Uoma <pauoma@gmail.com>, Prof Dipo Kolawole <profkolawole@yahoo.com>, "Prof. Lere Amusan" <lereamusan@gmail.com>, Raufu Mustapha <raufu.mustapha@qeh.ox.ac.uk>, "Dr.Remi SONAIYA" <remisonaiya@yahoo.com>, Reuben Abatti <abati1990@yahoo.com>, <rsuberu@bennington.edu>, Sam Ohuabunwa <sam@samohuabunwa.com>, <sanyaoni@hotmail.com>, SEGUN GBADEGESIN <gbadeg2002@yahoo.com>, Hassan Saliu <hassansaliu2003@gmail.com>, Wale Adebanwi <waleadebanwi@gmail.com>, Wasiu Odufisan <wasiuodufisan@yahoo.com>, William Fawole <fawolew@yahoo.com>
Subject: Fw: Lecture

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From: Richard A Joseph <r-joseph@northwestern.edu>

Date: Fri, 1 Apr 2016 00:48:42 +0000

To: ayo_olukotun@yahoo.com<ayo_olukotun@yahoo.com>

Cc: Toyin Falola<toyinfalola@austin.utexas.edu>

Subject: Lecture

Greetings:

A corrected and edited text of my Feb. 1 lecture in Ibadan has been posted on AfricaPlus:

https://africaplus.wordpress.com/?p=1671

The introduction situates the dysfunction and wasted opportunities in Nigeria, of which Ayo writes, in the context of global turmoil and uncertainty. We continue to seek "a democracy that works".

Regards,

Richard