Democratic Elections in a Global Context

Abstract

There is agreement amongst political scientists and other scholars that there is a relationship between democracy, development and good governance. Democracy is a solid foundation for political and economic development. Democracy is also the best tool for managing social and economic conflict. There is also agreement that elections are central to the development of democracy in any country. Whilst elections on their own cannot guarantee development they are an important instrument through which all groups, including the most vulnerable, elect rulers of their choice. Once elected into power, these rulers assume the political power and authority to determine and shape national socio-economic policies and programmes that should result in better standards of living for the electorate whilst at the same time respond to the demands of economic globalisation. These rulers also decide on who forms the machinery of government, namely the executive, the judiciary, et cetera.