ON THE POSSIBILITIES OF PRACTICING PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Many people believe that democracy which is the “rule of the majority” is an indispensable form of government. This explains why democracy has become the most fashionable form of governance in the world. In most societies of the world today, the issue is not which political system is appropriate but rather when will the society become democratized or fully democratic. A strong and effective democratic process should be able to establish a functioning administrative structure, and address the issue of how leaders are chosen and how they should act for the interest of the people they are representing. This paper points out some major methodological problems by addressing the case of egalitarianism in the Nigerian democratic structure. It also illustrates the nexus between freedom and democracy. The paper suggests participatory democracy, enhanced by the use of information and communication technology as a way to meaningful development in Africa.