Is Liberal Democratic Citizenship Education the Wayforward? A Critique of Abdi’s Democratic Development and Prospects for Citizenship Education: Theoritical Perspectives on Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Scholars from within and outside Africa, have steadily theorised on the best way forward for Africa’s turbulent demarche towards democratization. The propositions usually generally center on how best to alleviate Africa’s social, economic and political problems by proposing pragmatic solutions towards the consolidation of “successful” liberal democracies to accelerate the political development of African states as well as cater to the socio-economic prosperity of African peoples. The scholars often disregard the argument that liberalism cannot by itself effectively bring about the social, economic, political and environmental transformation needed in African states. Hence, in opposition to the prevailing discourse’s pervasive adherence to liberal democratic principles with its disciplinary apparatus of citizenship education, this paper interrogates similar ideas advanced by Ali A. Abdi in his article, Democratic Development and Prospects for Citizenship Education: Theoretical Perspectives on Sub-Saharan Africa. It examines Abdi’s uncomplicated conception of liberal democracy and scheme to “Africanize” it, towards interrogating the view that Africans should
accept liberal democratic principles as their starting point. It analyzes Abdi’s position on citizenship education in order to highlight the ambiguous meaning of citizenship in African societies and Abdi's contradictory position of advocating democratization through the creation of politically engaged citizens, while suggesting an
undemocratic approach to citizenship education.