Posted by Chester Morton / Monday 21 November 2016 / No comments
The problems of the Commonwealth of Nations
Compliance
One of the problems of the Commonwealth is that when member
states refuse to comply with decisions arrived at during a summit, the
organization does not have the power to enforce it. In the absence of this
power to enforce, the organization rather depends on the commitment and
willingness of the members to comply.
Absence of a standing army
Coupled with the problem above is the absence of a standing
army to help in the enforcement of decisions and the power to put rogue members
back in line. Though this is a problem, one can argue that it is even far-fetched.
Member nations are independent of each other and there force cannot be brought
to bear on members.
Differences in ideology
The member states now ascribe different kinds of ideology and
systems of government. Unlike the Parliamentary system that was inherited from
the British by their former colonies, the new nations have switched to other
systems of government like the Presidential system of government. The use of
varied systems of government does not help to unify the organization.
Importance of the Commonwealth
Over the years, the member states of the commonwealth have
lost the vigor they once had toward the organization. Member states now have
the guts to boycott summit meetings or the Commonwealth games. This has been
attributed to the fact that they no longer hold it as important as it once was.
Instability of regimes
Governments in some member states are unstable. This is
especially so in those member states who have refused to adopt and practice
democracy. Frequent change of government in member states does not allow for
continuity in programmes and policies geared toward the interests of the
Commonwealth.
Membership of other organization
Aside their membership of the Commonwealth of Nations, member
states also belong to other organizations and regional blocs. For example,
member states in Africa also belong to the African Union, which is probably fulfilling
some of their most pressing needs. Even those in West Africa again belong to
the Economic Community of West African States. This situation draws away their
interest in the activities of the Commonwealth.
The East – West ideological divide
After independence from Britain, some member states started to
lean towards the eastern bloc led by the then Union Soviet Socialist Republic.
This eastern bloc pursues policies that are opposite to those pursued by
Britain. This difference in ideology is also seen as a problem confronting the
Commonwealth.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. Highlight six problems that are faced by the Commonwealth of
Nations.
