Challenging the Western Narrative of Democracy!

Dr. Fred M’membe talks about embracing diverse paths to democracy, rejecting imperialist arrogance and promoting mutual respect!

By Mpandashalo Mwewa | Chief Editor.

Lusaka, May 29 – In a world that often touts a singular vision of democracy, Socialist Party president, Dr. Fred M’membe, has boldly challenged the notion that there is only one true form of democratic expression.

Dr. M’membe’s recent speech at the International Forum on Democracy in Beijing has ignited a crucial conversation about the need to recognize the diverse manifestations of democracy across the globe.

Also Read: Don’t accept to forget that we are Africans – Dr. M’membe.

“When Africans try to remind them of slavery and colonialism they tell them to forget the past and focus on the future. But what type of a future is this that has no history?”

Dr. M’membe’s central argument is that democracy is not a one-size-fits-all concept, but rather a multifaceted system where the interests of the people reign supreme and the sovereignty of nations is respected. He contends that the Western model of democracy, which has often been imposed on African nations, is not the only valid path to progress and human development.

◾Rejecting Imperialist Arrogance and Racist Narratives: Dr. M’membe’s speech directly challenges the imperialist and racist arrogance that he believes has long plagued the relationship between the United States and Africa. He questions the audacity of the U.S., a country with a history of opposing liberation movements, supporting colonial regimes, and even orchestrating coups in Africa, to now lecture the continent on the principles of democracy.

Dr. M’membe argues that true democracy cannot exist where a country’s resources and decisions are dictated by another, where sovereignty is undermined, and where the people’s right to self-determination is denied. He asserts that the U.S. and other Western powers have failed to recognize the inherent dignity and autonomy of African nations, and that this disrespect for sovereignty is a fundamental barrier to the realization of genuine democratic ideals.

◾Embracing China’s Approach to Development and Cooperation: In contrast to the Western model, Dr. M’membe praises China’s approach to development and international cooperation, which he believes is grounded in mutual respect, accommodation, and a commitment to win-win relationships. He argues that China’s rise, without the historical baggage of colonialism and exploitation, offers a refreshing alternative to the imperialist narratives that have long dominated global affairs.

Also Read: This is a wrong time to align Zambia with the US with a changing geopolitical landscape.

Dr. M’membe highlights China’s focus on mutual benefits, fraternal love for all humanity, and the recognition of diverse civilizations as key attributes that set it apart from the Western powers. He suggests that the changes we are witnessing in the world today, driven by the rise of China and other emerging powers, are fundamentally reshaping the global landscape in a way that challenges the unsustainable systems of plunder, enslavement, and inequality that have long characterized the Western-led order.

◾Towards a More Just and Peaceful World: Dr. M’membe’s speech calls for a profound rethinking of the global power dynamics and the rigid notions of democracy that have been imposed on the African continent. He argues that a more just, fair, and peaceful world is possible, but it will require a concerted struggle to eliminate the structures of inequality, subjugation, and imperialist interference that have long hindered the realization of true democratic ideals.

By embracing the diversity of democratic expressions and rejecting the imperialist arrogance that has shaped global affairs, Dr. M’membe’s vision offers a compelling alternative to the status quo. His call for mutual respect, accommodation, and a commitment to the shared prosperity of all nations and peoples provides a blueprint for a more equitable and sustainable global order, one that prioritizes the sovereignty and self-determination of all people.

◾Editor’s Comment: Dr. Fred M’membe’s speech at the International Forum on Democracy in Beijing has ignited a crucial debate about the need to challenge the Western-centric narratives of democracy and embrace the diverse paths that nations and peoples may take to achieve democratic ideals.

By rejecting imperialist arrogance and racist assumptions, and by highlighting the merits of China’s approach to development and cooperation, we must accept that Dr. M’membe’s vision offers a compelling alternative to the status quo, one that holds the promise of a more just, fair, and peaceful world for all.

Also Read: Why is the British envoy all over our affairs like a rat? – Dr. M’membe.

“Let High Commissioner Woolley know that he is not the Governor of Northern Rhodesia and not a Zambian politician either but a British diplomat in Zambia.”

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