Analysing the Relationship between Democracy and Development, Using Two Literary Works.

Abstract

Democracy is intrinsically linked to and engenders liberty – liberty to freely develop one's capabilities to the optimum without infringing on others' or another's rights and privileges and also in the best interest of society at large. It therefore produces development or civilization, which should go beyond mere technological advancement to commensurate growth in the refinement of man's soul and sensibilities. William Golding however demonstrates in his novel, Lord of the Flies, that our democracy, its civilization and the mechanisms that prop them up are fragile and susceptible to annihilation owing to the darkness in man's heart, which often makes him seek to domineer and break out of control. To him, man's predicament requires an honest encounter with his inner self and willingness to undergo a spiritual rebirth that is beyond mechanical religion or philosophical rationalization. Wole Soyinka on his part portrays in his play, Madmen and Specialists, that man's quest for power and dominance is born out of materialism and greed. The result is self destruction, insecurity, national strangulation and retrogression. Our national politics has proved the truth of his excellent analysis. This paper thus calls on all Nigerians to submit to God for a genuine inner transformation. SOPHIA: An African Journal of Philosophy Vol. 9 (1) 2006: pp. 134-142