Democracy and a Responsible Citizenry – Part 1
The narrow top of any society will always depend on the broad base, regardless of its composition. For the elite—be they political, social, or economic—giving back to the society that shaped them is not optional; it is a fundamental prerequisite for their continued survival.
Giving back is akin to a tree shedding leaves to nourish the soil that sustains it. Similarly, statecraft recognizes this intrinsic societal dynamic: true power resides not at the center, but across the entire fabric of society.
Governments and institutions forged by the state have a primary mandate: to manage societal intricacies—be it economic, security, or health-related—stemming from the relationship between rulers and the ruled, the elite and the masses. They must never stoke these tensions.
When governments fail in this role or abuse their position of authority, the state must either self-correct through established mechanisms or face correction by its people. Such a correction often requires reexamining the values that hold the society together.
This is why a state must embody and instill values essential to human existence during its people’s formative years. As the Swahili proverb says, “Samaki mkunje angali mbichi”—“Bend the fish while it is still fresh.”
However, instilling values is only the beginning. These values must be harnessed for the greater good to alleviate societal tensions and foster a collective belief that prosperity is achievable for all—a belief that gives people hope.
When a state or its institutions become tone-deaf to the people’s struggles, these same values can either be wielded against the state or rendered irrelevant. To prevent this, the state must prioritize mitigating, not just managing, societal tensions. This can be achieved through both public and private sector efforts, ensuring the state retains its moral compass.
Education as the Cornerstone of Responsible Citizenship
Building responsible citizens begins with an education system that not only imparts relevant skills and competencies for navigating present and future environments but also establishes a value-based foundation. This foundation, grounded in Tanzanian ideals, must provide stability and guidance in times of uncertainty.
In his later years, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere observed that some wished for his ideas to die with him. He insisted these ideas were not his alone but universal principles—people-centered development, human dignity, unity. He warned that ignoring these values would have dire consequences.
Despite changes over time, the values that unite us as a state remain constant. Neglecting to instill these values in future generations risks unraveling the fabric of our unity. To undo them is to undo ourselves.
The class struggle persists.
Greek philosopher Socrates argued that democracy’s strength lies in the quality of its electorate. According to Plato, Socrates believed that for democracy to succeed, the electorate must be educated, intelligent, and rational. Without this, the ruling elite could manipulate the system by appealing to emotions rather than reason.
When politics devolves into hate-mongering, the elite have failed.
Mwalimu famously said, “Argue, don’t shout.” A true democracy educates its citizens on how to debate constructively and, when necessary, how to agree to disagree.
In today’s hyper-connected digital world, emotions are easily amplified, and the masses can be misled for short-term political gain. But at what cost? The erosion of our statehood?
A Gift of Reflection
Two decades ago, I wrote a skit titled Giving Back. It explored the concept of “eduvation” (education for societal elevation). Let me dig into my archive and share it as an audio clip this Christmas season—a small gift of reflection and inspiration for all.
