The role of opposition parties in a democracy

| Thursday April 22, 2010 00:00

FRANCISTOWN: It has been said 'democracy gets its dynamic force from political and social conflict: continuous conflict'. Dr Julius Kiiza of Makerere University says 'democracy is not God-given. It is historically created. The history of democracy is a history of social struggles over the expansion of political space. It is a history of contestation over the transformation of the human wrongs of the marginalised groups into human rights.'

Perhaps the concept of opposition is as old as humanity itself and predates the political parties as we know them today. During the liberation struggle, especially in the so-called developing world, indigenous nationalists created the necessary conflict by forming political parties to fight for national independence. The 1980s saw in Africa the birth of multi-partyism and a reduction of the twin aberrations of military governments and life presidents as well as the end of political monopolies through the introduction of more transparent and regular elections.

In modern societies where the existence of opposition political parties has been institutionalised, they serve the purpose of being an alternative to the ruling parties by offering alternative policies. Opposition parties also play the oversight role by ensuring that the actions of government are in the best interest of the people. They also supervise what the party in government does. In justifying the existence of opposition parties, it has been 'the tendency of man to be led astray led to the creation of the opposition to act as a rod and counter the threat of freedom deteriorating into anarchy and despotism'.

There is no overstating how opposition parties are the key pillars and a living expression of the concept of choice.Elections are one of the main tenets of democracy, and since no democratic election can take place in a one-party situation, opposition parties are the pillars of any democracy and the voice of the people, especially the marginalised. In a word, any political system devoid of a strong opposition cannot qualify as a democracy. During elections, political parties present to the voter alternative policies and ideologies, thereby giving the ruling party competition by popularising themselves and presenting themselves as a government-in-waiting. This way, the opposition gives the voter the opportunity to replace a corrupt, inept, unaccountable and unilateralist government with a people-centred one. Between elections, opposition parties continue to expose the weaknesses of the ruling party and hold it accountable for action or inaction on behalf of the people through elected representatives or other forms.

Ruling parties, especially in Africa, seldom acknowledge the contributions of opposition. But opposition parties, under very difficult conditions, do a lot of research and come up with alternative policies which the governments dismiss off-hand, as unrealistic, only to adopt them later as their own ideas. Parties in power find it easy to dismiss the opposition as a collection of unpatriotic formations with no alternative policies to offer. But opposition parties offer civic education to voters on the importance of politics and voting, especially in the run-up to elections. This not only encourages the voters to vote in large numbers but to make more informed decisions.

Opposition operatives work in a very difficult environment. Their contribution is hampered by the fact that governments withhold information. In cases like Botswana, where political funding is anathema, opposition activists have to fund their activities from their limited personal resources, leading sometimes to bankruptcy. An individual might seek undue influence and recognition in the party if he feels he has spent more money in the party than the others. In the meantime, ruling parties, especially in Africa, use the public media and other government resources to campaign. Besides, they get secret donations from big companies to sponsor their campaigns. Ruling parties also use their unlimited financial resources to bribe opposition members.

Yet, in order for any opposition party to be taken seriously, it has to be credible in the eyes of the electorate. It must have courage and imagination. The Secretary General of the opposition Botswana Congress Party (BCP), Taolo Lucas, says the BCP is a party with a courageous leadership that has taken the BDP government to task both inside and outside Parliament. 'The BCP engaged the Ombudsman on the use and abuse of BDF choppers by the now President of Botswana,' he says. The BCP is also pursuing what Lucas calls the erosion of civil liberties under the BDP government with 'vigour and rigor'. He says the BCP has been effective in Parliament by sponsoring many motions that are relevant to the people, such as one that sought to convince the government to exempt basic foodstuffs from VAT.  For his part, Shathiso Tambula, the Secretary General of the opposition Botswana People's Party, the BPP sees itself as a partner in the development of this country and has done a lot for Botswana. 'The BPP has contributed immensely in public policy formulation and implementation as well as being the voice of the minorities,' he says. He cites the nationalisation of the railway line, the formation of the BDF and introduction of the Botswana currency as important contributions of his party. They quality of leadership also determines the attitude of the public towards a given political party. If a party is an alternative government, its leader is the President-in waiting with all the characteristics of a good leader such as humility, tolerance, wisdom and intelligence, among others.  A leader who heads a fractious party bedevilled by factionalism may fail to impress the electorate. He should have sufficient charisma to achieve cohesion in the party. Besides, it is important for an opposition political party to demonstrate its democratic credentials. Party conferences should be run democratically, especially with respect to the elections of the leadership. Members should debate issues freely and be able to call on the party leadership to account.

In order for the opposition to be effective, governments must recognise their contribution and allow them access to information, media coverage and funding, among other things. The opposition has a duty placed to restrain the government because in the exercise power, the government is susceptible to corruption.