DIV4/6: DICTATORSHIP

Dictatorship

Dictatorship is where political power is dispensed in a manner that contravenes the will of people and constitutional provisions.

Causes of dictatorship

• Fear of persecution by leaders who have committed crimes against humanity. This makes them wish to maintain themselves in power until death for example Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe.
• Civil unrests in the country brings dictatorship because leaders use this as an excuse to maintain themselves in power in the name of fighting rebellion.
• Monarchism which allows leaders not to be questioned because they became leaders by birthright not through elections or by the people’s vote.
• Too much self confidence in their ability to lead their respective countries for example in Uganda president Museveni claims that he is the only leader with the vision and potential to take Uganda to another level because of his political skills.
• Self-seeking advisors to the African leaders also leads to dictatorship for example because of desire for favors from the leaders, they do not give appropriate advise even when the leaders misuse power.
• Tribalism makes leaders hang on to power and persecute people of other tribes for example the Tutsi minority against the Hutu majority in Rwanda by the former president Habyarimana.
• Over-staying in power which necessitates using undemocratic means to keep in power for example Colonel Muammar Ghadaffi who ruled Libya since 1969 believed that revolutionaries do not leave power through the vote.
• Greed for money and wealth for example the late Mobutu Sese Seko led DR Congo for long and at the time of his death, he had accumulated wealth greater than what the country had.
• Ripping elections brings dictatorship because such leadership has to be sustained by cruelty, intimidation among others for example former Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe.
• The socialists verses the capitalist bloc which was created as a result of the cold war for instance leaders who subscribe to the  capitalist ideology and maintained in power like capitalist countries like USA and Britain.
• Terror and oppression are unleashed upon the citizens in the name of religion also causes dictatorship for example the persecution of the church during Amin’s regime.
• Weak opposition that does not provide a viable alternative to the dictatorial regimes for example the weakness of the UPC, DP and CP has made NRM remain in power since 1986.
• Conflicts between leaders also leads to dictatorship for instance conflicts between Milton Obote and Kabaka Muteesa II led to the 1966 Kabaka Crisis which eventually led to the death of people.
• Militarization of politics for instance the late president Idi Amin became a dictator because the army sustained his leadership.
• Dictatorship brings dictatorship for instance the National Resistance Army overthrew the dictatorial regime of Obote II and have used it as an excuse to cling to power because they claim to be revolutionaries.

Christian approach to the issue of dictatorship

The church should pray that God gives leaders wisdom to lead his people well for example Arch Desmond Tutu of South Africa (Head of the church and reconciliation communion) used to pray that God brings down the Apartheid regime in South Africa.

Leadership in the institution of the church should be exemplary and worth imitating by the secular leaders. If church leaders cling to power, it gives a bad example to the rest.

Christians should guide and counsel political leaders for example Samuel used to counsel king Soul.

Christian should participate in political leadership so that they influence the making of policies or formulation of just laws that favor and promote the citizens’ rights and stability.

Christians should monitor elections to ensure free and fair elections. Other organizations besides the Uganda Joint Christian Council can be formed to do this.

The church should promote love and unity in the country to overcome dictatorship due to tribalism. This can be done through trying to reconcile enemies.

Christians should encourage peace in the country by acting as mediations between the government and rebels for example Bishop Odama of Gulu.

Christians should exercise their constitutional rights such as voting so that dictators are voted out of office.

The church should criticize and oppose dictatorial regimes for example Arch Bishop Jonan Luwum opposed Amin’s dictatorial government since the Christians are the salt and the light of the world.

Christians or the church should sensitize the citizens about their rights, responsibilities and duties so as to act wisely for the sake of their country.

Leaders should be reminded that all authority comes from God and therefore should be respected.

The church should encourage leaders to delegate powers just as Jethro Moses’ father-in-law advised him.

THIS VIDEO GIVES SOME EXAMPLES OF DICTATORS

FOLLOW THESE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/dictatorship

https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-dictatorship.html

Totalitarian states

These are governments where all authority is in the lands of one powerful person or small group of people.

Characteristics of totalitarian states

• Power is in the lands of one powerful person or small group of people.
• Leaders come in power by force.
• Leaders maintain themselves in power by the use of forces of law and order for example Police and the army.
• Leaders tend to lead for a long time and they leave power by force.
• There is censorship of newspapers, movies, radio messages so as to stop any criticism on the government.
• Democracy is not practiced since decisions are made by one powerful individual.
• The constitution is usually tampered with to meet the aspiration of the dictator.
• There is arrest without trial for example in safe houses.
• The basic human rights are suspended for example freedom of speech, association, worship.
• There is no credible opposition.
• The youths are usually indoctrinated to believe in the ideology of the dictator.
• There is general poverty and riches are in the hands of the few.
• Injustices in the courts of law for example judicial killings.
• Mismanagement of the state resources or inflation.
• There is a poor relationship with other countries especially those opposing dictatorship.
• Full of killing and assassination in order to eliminate political opponents.

How should Christians deal with such governments?

• Christians should deal with such governments peacefully.
• Christians should pray for the leaders to realize their mistakes.
• Christians should have a spirit of tolerance.
• Christians should respect such leaders since leadership comes from God.
• Christians should emulate Christ who was submissive to the authority.
• Christians should seek reconciliation with oppression.
• Christians should preach the message of peace.
• Christians should show love to those who are oppressed.
• Christians should encourage the government to respect human life because God is the sole creator.

To a smaller extent Christians can use force

Even God fought for Israelites.

Dictators in the Old Testament were sensitized to death and they died violently for example King Atab.

Even Jesus used force to drive out money changers from the temple.

They should fight if they are not free to practice their faith.

If their rights to life is abused.

If it’s last the last resort.

If there are chances of success.

THIS VIDEO EXPLAINS MORE

THESE UNITS EXPLAIN MORE ABOUT IT

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_totalitarian_regimes

https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-totalitarianism.html

https://www.britannica.com/topic/totalitarianism

Democracy

Democracy is defined as a government of the people by the people for the people.

OR

This is a system of governance in which everyone is equal and has the right to vote, make decisions concerning the political, social and economic aspect of his/her life.

Causes of abuse of democracy in developing countries

• Ignorance about the fundamental human rights and freedom.
• Greed for power in that whoever is put in position of leadership does not wish to hand over power. Others have tampered with the constitution so as to rule more terms.
• Tribalism whereby people elect incompetent leaders on the bases of tribalism.
• Poverty. People in Uganda vote leaders who are capable of offering them material things or money but not on the basis of their capacity to deliver politically.
• Illiteracy. Most illiterate people tend not to accept change as they always have no aspirations in life thus leading to abuse of democracy.
• Influence from developed countries that is they always forced the governments of developing countries to implement democratic policies for example privatization, cost sharing among others.
• Corruption. This is so because undemocratic people bribe their way in key positions of leadership for example the lifting of term limits in Ugandan constitution was a result of bribing the 7^th parliament with 5M shillings to each Member of Parliament.
• Militarization of politics. There are always high cases of violence and intimidation by the army during elections resulting into death of citizens and abuse of other fundamental human rights and freedoms.
• Wars and political instabilities caused by the unrealistic sharing of the national cake has also caused abuse of democracy.
• A limited level of nationalism and patriotism among citizens of developing countries for example most people in Uganda just look on when their fundamental rights and freedoms are abused by the public and powerful members of the society.
• The widening economic gap between the rich and the poor. The rich and the elites make policies and laws which favor them at the expense of the country.
• Undemocratic tendencies can also be linked to the many mistakes committed by the government leaders in power such that they fear to handle over power because they can be subjected to courts for crimes committed against humanity.
• Most political parties in developing countries have just divided people into smaller units instead of uniting them against the common enemy to campaign democracy. This explains the continuous rule of dictators.
• The ‘I don’t care’ attitude among the masses in developing countries for example people feel less concerned as far as their duties and roles. Some do not participate in elections, they rarely stand up to defend their rights when abused by the government.

Importance of democracy

1. It enables all citizens to participate in the politics of their country. So, when Christians participate in politics, they work as the salt and light of the world.
2. Democracy calls for the principle of equality before the law by all people. God created mankind in his image and likeliness and all people are equal before God.
3. Democracy allows peaceful change of government and Christians are called upon to be peace makers.
4. Democracy helps to pressure the life of people because there is respect of human rights. God’s law in exodus 20:13 says “Thy shall not kill.”
5. In democracy, there is freedom of worship. God liberated his people such as the Israelites from the land of slavery to go and worship him.
6. In democracy, human rights are observed and respected. This is in line with God’s idea of respecting one another, love for one another.
7. Democracy enhances forgiveness and reconciliation for example Jesus forgave the adulterous woman who was about to be stoned to death, when King David committed adultery God forgave him.
8. There is fair treatment of all citizens in democratic states. Jesus conversed with the Samaritan woman, Jesus said that let the children come to me because the kingdom of God belong to them.
9. Democracy encourages transparency and accountability among leaders at various levels. Luke 19:1-27 the parable of gold coins.
10. Democracy promotes nationalism and patriotism creating national unity. John 17:11 Jesus prayed that we all be one just as Jesus and the father.
11. Foreign assistance is possible due to good governance. Corinthians 16:1-7 encourages offering to fellow believers.
12. Democracy checks on the rate of corruption. Prophets like Amos strongly condemned corrupt leaders. Amos 3:9-12.
13. Democracy promotes freedom of expression for example Prophet Nathan went and questioned King David, Moses went to the Pharaoh.
14. In democracy, there is respect for the constitution hence limiting the power of government officials. The bible condemns oppression of all people by those in authority for example prophet Amos.
15. In democracy, there is freedom of petition and also one is considered innocent until proved guilty by the courts of law. During the time of Moses and Kings there were courts of laws to judge cases.

Limitations of democracy

• Some people misuse the freedom they have in democracy and abuse their leaders yet God calls us to respect those in authority because leadership comes from God.
• At times, peace is not preserved due to the many political parties formed in democratic governments for example Christians are called upon to be peace makers at all times.
• A right to liberty has led to drug abuse and alcoholism. Yet man is called upon to exercise control.
• Aid from foreign countries given due to good governance comes with strings attached and evils like homosexuality yet they are highly condemned and punishable by God.
• Whenever an issue is subjected to vote, the decision of the majority is taken and the minority ignored yet Jesus listened to all peoples’ challenges.
• Presence of many parties due to democracy may lead to wastage of resources yet extravagance is condemned. The prodigal son wasted all his wealth carelessly.
• Democracy leads to delay in service delivery as well as bureaucracy yet Jesus solved problems instantly.
• Right to vote leads to election of wrong leaders yet leaders are meant to be charismatic anad God chosen.
• Divisions may be created due to the existence of many parties in democratic states yet divisions are called to unite as one person in Christ.
• Disgruntled minorities may become rebellious yet we are called upon to be peace makers.

THESE VIDEOS EXPLAINS MORE ABOUT DEMOCRACY

THESE LINKS EXPLAIN MORE ABOUT DEMOCRACY

https://www.britannica.com/topic/democracy

https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-different-types-of-democracy.html