Proceedings of The 8th International Conference on Social sciences Humanities and Education
Year: 2023
DOI:
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An Anthropology of Democracy: A Pragmatic Approach for Restoring a Duty-Oriented System of Governance in A Human Society
Dr. Chukwuemeka Nwachukwu
ABSTRACT:
In a democratic system, the electorates (if their roles and influence are adequately considered) are the key actors in governance. This is because they possess the power for electing those to represent them in governance. The problematic is that elected officials do not keep to their manifestos and election promises on assuming office, thereby paying less attention to the principles of duty. This hatches political tension and distrust in a given political system or society. An anthropology of democracy argues that the people still possess the power to change the face of governance by engaging in the Öffentlichkeit. This paper sees an anthropology of democracy in this vein as positive revolution through mainstream discussions and engagement. By Öffentlichkeit Habermas is suggesting self-inclusion into the social life of government. Öffentlichkeit suggests communicative action of the polity where individuals engage in discussions to pragmatically identify the existing societal ills of governance and proffer panaceas to the political sizt im leben. Through the Öffentlichkeit the citizens become vital forces towards influencing the decisions of government. It is in itself a fourth way participation in governance where through the engagement in discussions and debate, the polity is able to prempt and influence the actions of government and restore order to the human soceity. Öffentlichkeit becomes a bridle and moral voice to the excesses of non performing officials. Again, through Öffentlichkeit, the government is held accountable and responsible for her actions and called to duty: duty of accountability, responsibility, effectiveness and truth. Hence, the anthropology of democracy suggest a duty-orientated and duty-conscious system of government. This paper pays particular attention to the problems of governance, and argues for non-representational government, where populace can influence the decisions of government by remaining self-representational. It adopts a descriptive cum analytic method and makes use of primary resources,interviews and questionnaires for a substantial results.
keywords: Anthropology, Öffentlichkeit, Duty, Democracy and Rule of law