THE LEGISLATURE IN AN EVOLVING DEMOCRACY: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS | #NwokeukwuMascot

 OPINION 

Mr Kingsley Maduforo 

By Kingsley Maduforo

The constant push to save our democracy has put legislators to their toes. While the legislature is a deliberative assembly with the authority to make laws for a political entity such as a country or state. Legislators form an important part of government in a democratic setting particularly in the separation of power model.

Laws enacted by legislators are known as primary legislation. Legislators observe and steer governing action and usually have exclusive authority to amend the laws and budgets involved in the process.

The legislature has the potential to transform governance and the workings of our democracy for the better. These potentials, however, have been slow in coming. The innovation of legislators in governance have been thwarted by politics as usual and the resistance to devolution of power away from hierarchical bureaucracy.

In an evolving democracy, unprecedented speed, interconnectivity, complexity and uncertainty are impacting all spheres of society today, presenting challenges that were not foreseen even a few years ago.

The end of the cold war was interpreted by many as the final victory for democracy and capitalism over authoritarian socialism. A quarter century after the sudden collapse of communism and the emergence of democracy, democracy itself is under threat with levels of education and economic development.

The shared vision that constituted the foundation for democratic consensus is breaking down. Doubts, fears and insecurity have shaken the people's faith in the institution of governance and the confidence of youth in a better future.

For there to be an effective democracy, legislation remains the practical step that can be taken to moderate extreme aberration resulting from the misuse of power. It is a tool needed to develop more effective systems of governance capable of fully supporting the aspirations of humanity, maximizing the equity and effectiveness of social institutions and the future evolution of society.

Finally, the answers to the current dilemma lie in the future, not in the past. The lines of future social development are being drawn by irresistible evolutionary forces working behind the confusion and disillusionment generated by recent events.

The future is on a fractal trajectory to increasing affirmation of fundamental human rights for all political, economic and social activities. Current and emerging challenges present humanity with the inevitable necessity of developing more effective institution for good governance. Legislature remains the pillar of democracy that sustain good governance and development for the citizen.

Kingsley Maduforo, Is a Public Affairs Analyst, writes from Umuahia Abia State.