Why African countries find it difficult to practice the Parliamentary system of Govenrment
Posted by Chester Morton / Wednesday, 6 April 2016 / No comments
It is a colonial
Relic
When African countries became independent, they
inherited the parliamentary system of government that was being practiced by
their colonial masters. In their bid to get rid of many of the things which
they considered as relics of colonialism, they soon got rid of the
Parliamentary system and opted for the presidential system of government.
Foreign to Africa
It has been argued that the African traditional
political system does not give room for an official opposition. Nobody is
allowed to openly criticize the Chief. Issues are discussed until a consensus
is arrived at. The presence of an official opposition which characterizes the
parliamentary system of government is therefore alien to Africa.
Desire to stay in
power for too long
African leaders are just interested in clinging
on to power without any challenge from anybody. The Parliamentary system, with its
official opposition, cannot give them such a room to operate. It is one reason why
they threw away the Parliamentary system and embraced the presidential
system.
Intolerance of
Opposition
African leaders are just intolerant of the
existence of political opposition. The parliamentary system allows for an
official opposition and African leaders were not comfortable with it. It is another
reason why they find it difficult to practice the parliamentary system of government.
Unnecessary Criticism
The presence of official opposition sometimes
leads to unbridled criticism of each other. As a result, the parliamentary
system often degenerates into petty political power struggles between the ruling party and the opposition.
Expensive nature of
the system
The Parliamentary system is comparatively more
expensive to run than the presidential system. This is because the resources to support the office of Head
of Government which could have been put to another use are unnecessarily wasted.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. a. What a parliamentary system of government?
[2 marks]
b. Give five reasons why
African countries find it difficult to practice.
2. Highlight six reasons why African countries
are reluctant to practice the cabinet system of government. [12 marks]
