Answer to Question #190330 in Political Science for Noluvuyo Maxolo

Question

what is dictatorship and brief background how dictatorship started.

Secondly different types of dictatorship

Thirdly how dictatorship is influencing in both political & economic stability in Africa. Here bear in mind that you discuss the negative & positive sides of dictatorship in Africa giving examples.

Fourthly how dictatorship as a major challenge to democracy in africa.

Conclusion you give your own judgement or view about how dictatorship in africa is still major challenge in democracy on africa continent or not 

Answer 1

Dictatorship is a form of government that is associated with a single leader or a certain sect of leaders with little or no tolerance for political pluralism. In this system of government, one person holds absolute power without effective constitutional limitations. Dictatorship started at the beginning of the fifth century BC immediately after the end of monarchy in the Roman Republic.

The different types of dictatorship include;

Ø Military dictatorship.

Ø Single-party dictatorship.

Ø Personalist dictatorship.

Ø Monarchic dictatorship.

Ø Hybrid dictatorship

Ø Fascist dictatorship of the 21^st century

Dictatorship has influence political and economic stability with unstable political environment reducing investment and pace for economic growth. Dictators scare away investors making the economy to stagnate. It also leads to abuse of power and oppression of people. The leadership of Uganda under Idi Amin led to the mass killing of innocent people leading to rise in poverty. On the positive side, dictatorship can result in quick decision making that can spur economic growth.  Dictatorial leaders can also help to reduce the impact of mistakes since they command their policymakers to draft frameworks for each project to accomplish. The leadership of Rwanda which is perceived to be a kind of dictatorship has resulted in accountability by leaders which is good for economic prosperity.

Dictatorship in Africa has been a major challenge to democracy with leaders changing the constitution for them to still remain in power. This results in poor governance and encourages corruption with is bad for democracy. Good leaders have been denied an opportunity to lead by those dictators infringing on democratic rights of citizens to choose leaders of their choice.

In conclusion, dictatorship remains a major challenge to democracy in the African continent. The increase rate of poverty and bad governance is as a result of dictatorial leaders holding on to power even though their terms have elapsed. Few African countries enjoy democracy but a few still have dictator and it is necessary for the African Union (AU) to come out strongly and condemn such leadership and offer a lasting solution to such governments.