The democracy debate in Africa: Tanzania

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Abstract
The current debate on democracy in Africa (see ROAPE no.49) is stimulating but many views are rooted in liberalism, justify it in terms of ‘development’ or see it as an absolute good. Little attempt is made to situate it in the historical processes of people in struggle, resulting in a mistrust of the masses. Applying these strictures to the recently officially‐launched debate on the party system in Tanzania, it is argued that the very way the debate is itself conducted must also be democratic and should reflect the people's own strivings not the ‘negative’ models of the East, or the ‘positive’ models (and pressures) of the West. The limitations of the present ‘party‐state’ and its monopoly of politics are criticised. Proposals are made not for a specific constitutional formula but for an extended transition ‘process’ that should be followed, opening up debate in civil society and paving the way for a National Convention and a Constituent Assembly.

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