Intellectual discourse has shown that two schools of thought are prominent on the debate of Democracy and Development, these being that there is an evident connection between the two and the other rejecting aforementioned thought. While Democracy and Development seem like two different worlds the concepts, the two concepts both stem from the spirit of self progression and the inherent willingness of mankind to progress both in governance and in economic status.
To embark on a discourse of such great importance without putting the terms in subject into proper context would be very dangerous. In the simplest of forms development may be defined as the moving of a state or individual towards a relatively better or much more comfortable position. Development usually will encompass a serious positive change in the livelihood of a subject grouping.
Democracy on the other hand connotes the deriving of authority and mandate to govern from people. As expressed by President Abraham Lincoln democracy is the rule of the people, by the people and for the people. The above mentioned phrase really means equal participation of citizens in decision making and having a chance to appoint or elect those that lead them.
Zambia having recently been to the polls, there stands no better time to discuss the concept of democracy in Zambia and its effects on development than now. Zambia is classified as a developing country; this hierarchy increases our need to focus our attention on how various domestic and international influences affect the upward progression of the lives of the Zambian people.
It is also very important to place the disclaimer on the subject and state the fact that development is a process and not a once off event. This being the case it is important to understand the fact that development should always occur and be maintained to ensure that people have the positive change they so need. For the Zambian case development will mean access to better health and medical facilities, higher income, greater individual freedom, more academic and professional opportunities and access to better housing, which will all mean a better quality of life.
According to the 2016 Human Development Index which has been used world over as a yardstick for developmental standards, Seychelles is the most developed African Country. The variables against which the terms are measured in terms of the ranking generally fall under Life expectancy, Education and per capita Income. The big question that begs an answer now is, are there any evident connections between Seychelles development and its participation in the concept of democracy?
Since proclaiming independence from the United Kingdom in 1976, Seychelles has developed from a largely agricultural society to a market-based diversified economy, characterized by rapidly rising service, public sector, and tourism activities. Proper systems and government policies seem to give Seychelles the much need oil to move its country towards the pinnacles of development.
While there is a large connection between democracy and development we need to understand that the concepts can only work well with systems and policies that are predevelopment in nature. With a democracy younger than that of Zambia many African states have risen to form their own versions of the African dream as Zambia follows behind. Inasmuch as Zambia boasts of being a living democracy the said democracy needs to be followed by robust implementation of systems and policies that will foster development, only then will these distant relatives have a meaningful relationship.
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