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A Response to Eze’s critique of Wiredu’s consensual democracy
Abstract
The question of what political system best suites post colonial/independent
African states remain alive and ever more pertinent particularly in the face of
failed attempts at democratisation. Kwasi Wiredu notes that the adversarial
nature of Western democratic practices along party political lines may not be
well suited for African politics. Instead he suggests that the practice of consensual democracy as practised in the traditional Ashanti society may be
more appropriate. Emmanuel Eze raises three objections against Wiredu’s
account of consensual democracy. This paper seeks to respond to Eze’s objections and argue that consensual democracy may have more appeal than
Eze is prepared to concede.
African states remain alive and ever more pertinent particularly in the face of
failed attempts at democratisation. Kwasi Wiredu notes that the adversarial
nature of Western democratic practices along party political lines may not be
well suited for African politics. Instead he suggests that the practice of consensual democracy as practised in the traditional Ashanti society may be
more appropriate. Emmanuel Eze raises three objections against Wiredu’s
account of consensual democracy. This paper seeks to respond to Eze’s objections and argue that consensual democracy may have more appeal than
Eze is prepared to concede.
