Democracy and the Paradox of Zimbabwe: Lessons from Traditional Systems of Governance

Abstract

Traditional systems of governance are so outrageous that mulling over them today may seem like flogging a dead horse. In this paper however, it will be argued that; democracy, good governance, peace and development, if ever they are to be achieved in Zimbabw e, there is need to look at the socio-political and economic order of traditional Zimbabwean societies instead of relying on borrowed liberal democratic principles that have been a bag of mixed blessings to Zimbabwe’s post independence era. First, the paper examines the concept democracy as it is theoretically and practically understood and practiced in Zimbabwe today. Second, it argues againstthephilosophyofliberalismwhichisoneofthecornerstonesofdemocracy.In this regard, it argues that liberal democratic principles are incompatible and inconsistent with Zimbabwe’s political mores and history in general. Lastly, as a solution to the current democratic vacuum characterizing Zimbabwe, the paper argues that there is need to revisit Zimbabwe’s traditional systems of governance and see what can be taken thereof. It will be established that non-party consensual democracy is a sine qua non option for Zimbabwe if ever democracy, good governance and development are to be achieved. By and large, the thesis developed in this paper is that viable adaptation and adoption of a non party consensual democracy could see Zimbabwe out of its current democratic paradox.