Democracy & Technocracy

DEMOCRACRACY AND TECHNOCRACY: THE GENESIS OF


A PROPOSED PROMISE-LAND



It’s preposterous for one to see freedom as an unnecessary circumstance. More so, it’s extremely painful and devastating for one to be deprived of his freedom of speech in any circumstance or arena he might find himself. And this, freedom of speech, remains the most distinct feature finds in democracy. Summarily, democracy is a way forward.

According to BBC English dictionary, “democracy is a system of government or organization in which the citizens or members choose leaders or make other important decisions by voting”. In Political Science, “it’s the government of the people, by the people, and for the people”. From my humble perspective, democracy is the chorus or anthem of a certain organization that is being understood and sang by the entire members of the organization/union. On the other hand, technocracy can be referred to as a system of government controlled by scientists, engineers, and other experts.

In Nigeria, and most other countries in the world, democracy is our prerogative and ought to be duly sustained because it’s a welcome development. Any democratic state requires adequate pampering without using the baby “pampers”. It should at all time remain prescient. A practice that gives peace to those concerned requires sustenance. Something or a circumstance that all and sundry pray for, or pray to have/experience should be worthy of emulation, and therefore, shouldn’t be taken for granted. Taking Nigeria as a case study; the occupants and every member of this country prayed and fasted for democracy because we saw it working in other civilized and advanced countries. Fortunately, it has come to stay. But, our extreme concern should be, how it could be sustained. How can it remain a formidable working tool in Nigeria just as it is seen and adored in many developed countries? If you have been far from the truth in respect to democracy, this is a very great avenue that shall bring you a bit closer to the truth. And what is the truth? The truth remains that, for democracy to be functional, and not stagnant or non-productive, we must be ready to showcase its technicality. The technicalities of a process/system or activity are the detailed methods used to do it.

The dream of any individual or organization is to embrace the “promise-land”. And this can never be achieved without observing the technicality of the procedure(s) involved. Even, before Israelites embraced the promise-land, it was as if they saw “hell” in the process. They observed the procedure. In other words, there was enormous sacrifice rendered by them.

The technicality behind the progress of democracy in any given society is science. Yes, science and technology. And, that is technocracy. In a nut shell, technocracy is an activity in which a given administration embraces science to the fullness. Any system of government, irrespective of the nature, can introduce technocracy and it must work. But it is only in democracy that technocracy would work effectively because it’s the only system that understands and practices the language of vote(s). I put it up to you that, voting is the basis or rudiments of technocracy. Thus, for it (technocracy) to yield a very positive output, it must be introduced at the foundation level. And it must be used throughout; that is, starting from the foundation up to the peak of the structure. Now, the question is; how could it, technocracy/science, be applied?

For our votes to count, we must embrace science. The electronic voting system which would be actualized by the introduction and adequate use of the electronic voting machine must be considered and duly implemented. This system or routine would enable both our voting and counting to be hyper-transparent. Then, in the process of electing the people/contestants of our choice, we must ensure that, experts are mostly considered.

Having elected the people of our choice with the aid of science, since the voting system/pattern is also observed in the various House of Assemblies, the members of the legislature should ensure that their votes go to a nominee that has a full technical knowledge of his/her field in the aspect of ministerial appointment, and other possible appointments both in the states and federal levels. Even while awarding a contract to a certain corporate body, similar fact should also be noted by both the executive and legislative councils / personnel. We must continue to think in the right direction to ensure that technocrats occupy the system. For this to work, we must learn to tell ourselves the truth. Thus, the issue of free and fair must be invoked and practised.

So brethren, for our proposed promise-land (vision 20:20:20) to be embraced, or be a reality, our ongoing democratic system or socio-political freedom must be coupled with technocracy or be filled with good number of technocrats, and not bureaucracy. Therefore, democracy and technocracy are intertwined. Think about it!



COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

Social analyst & activist

-----------------------------------

frednwaozor@gmail.com