Democracy may never replace God’s Kingdom, but in our imperfect world, it stands out as the most practical form of civilization. It becomes unworkable only when imposed on uneducated populations. Giving democracy to people who lack awareness can be cruel, because its misuse may lead to their downfall. Democracy benefits humanity—but only when people understand their responsibility in matters of survival.
Many of Africa’s challenges stem from an inability to let democracy thrive. Opportunistic individuals, driven by greed, exploit uninformed societies for personal gain. In such cases, democracy may not be the best option. This creates an unusual situation: a dictatorship led by genuinely altruistic leaders can sometimes achieve better outcomes than a flawed democracy.
For example, Burkina Faso is currently seen as one of the most successful dictatorships. Though its leader, Ibrahim Traoré, is indeed a dictator, his altruistic philosophy seems to offset many negative traits associated with such regimes. It may be worth distinguishing leaders like Traoré from more self-serving dictators when discussing the idea of an altruistic dictatorship. Meanwhile, China appears to be the most successful nation in modern times, despite lacking a functional democracy.
The challenge with such civilizations is the lack of guaranteed continuity. As fallible as Traoré is—like any human—nothing ensures stability. For example, what happens when he dies is anyone’s guess. The history of the Jewish kingdoms shows a cycle of good and bad leaders, until those kingdoms eventually disappeared. New leaders often bring their own styles, shaped by character, and no one can predict how the next leader will act.
This is why democracy stands out as a better system, despite its flaws. With a solid constitution, democracy can nurture better governance—something that has helped make the United States appear stronger than many other nations. While the U.S. system isn’t perfect, it has room for improvement, and democratic elections give people the chance to reflect and push for something better. The result is that it is better than dictatorial regimes.
Independent thinking is rare, and the influence of others often hinders progress. People tend to model themselves after idolized figures, and this imitation limits true freedom. Instead of valuing equality, many aspire to dominate others, believing that leads to freedom. Yet this desire for control achieves the opposite, echoing the need for the principle taught by Jesus:
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12, NIV).
Everyone, no matter their background, is unique. Every child has the power to make a positive impact, but too often people overlook their own potential. This can cause children to lose sight of who they are, copying others instead of embracing their own capabilities. The phrase “like father, like son” isn’t always accurate—a son may adopt his dad’s habits or adapt someone else’s example into his own.
Many of today’s problems stem from ignoring individuality and natural gifts. It’s worth remembering that we are made in God’s image. Overly strict parenting can limit a child’s freedom, with parents convinced they always know best. Often, these parents were shaped by the same control passed down for generations, creating a cycle of mental restriction that traces back to Adam.
In society, there are three main personality types, and two tend to cause the most confusion. One consists of people stuck in the past, trying to force outdated ideas onto those living in the present. While unhealthy, this way of thinking can still seem normal to some, even today. Some people seem intent on dragging everyone back into outdated ways of thinking. In Zimbabwe, for example, young militant ZANU-PF supporters are willing to give up everything for leaders long past their prime.
Reaching the common sense of these youths feels almost impossible. That’s why G40—which may have simply tried to connect with the under-40 crowd—stirred up so much tension within ZANU-PF. The G40 message appeared as having been geared toward inspiring young people to live in the present and take responsibility. But convincing them the past was over seemed to feel like asking them to abandon their identity—especially when they’ve been taught to distrust those who embrace the now.
When G40 emerged, it shook those clinging to the past, who feared anyone grounded in the present. Though small in number, they wield significant influence over the compliant “neurotics”—followers who willingly surrender to their control.
The neurotic youths often get pulled in by psychotics, holding onto the past instead of looking ahead. Happy with their current comforts, they resist change, thinking everything is fine as long as their needs are met. They overlook the fallout of their actions, feeling safe in the moment.
In Zimbabwe, this shows up when sly politicians win them over with promises or bribes in return for loyalty. Charismatic religious leaders, praised as “Men or Women of God,” also easily influence them, drawing them toward supposed miracles. They end up supporting dubious megachurches, giving away their earnings as tithes in hopes of blessings—not out of generosity, but self-interest.
In the end, these neurotics feed corruption, chasing personal gain above all else. To them, life or death doesn’t matter; what counts is serving the schemes of manipulative psychotics. For those struggling with neurotic tendencies, the only real comfort lies in the hope of breaking free from their mental chains. This can happen if they are willing to let go of harmful habits and seek help, even from online resources. With the right education, they can uncover their true potential.
It’s no secret that some people scorn achievers while applauding underachievers. Even within families, resentment toward those seen as successful is common, often revealing deep-rooted hostility. In extreme cases, some individuals will go as far as committing horrific acts just to be perceived as successful. It has become common to hear of ritual murders, currently making headlines, with questions about how such tragedies occur in modern society. Sadly, these incidents only reflect the moral decay that exists in our communities.
Corrupt governance lays bare these patterns daily. Criminal acts highlight the presence of those who believe freedom comes from oppressing others. Such destructive behaviors will persist as long as false beliefs fuel the selfishness that undermines collective well-being.
Building democracy is tough when people can’t tell the difference between genuine selflessness and the pull of personal gain. It’s not unusual to see church leaders exploiting the vulnerable, with some victims even defending or risking their lives for those hurting them. These injustices reveal deep societal issues, and in parts of Africa, many are linked to cultural traditions rooted in self-interest.
Even talented individuals often use their skills to take advantage of admirers for personal benefit instead of helping others, shaped by harsh realities. Both the powerless and the disruptive may feel change is impossible, and success is often seen as overpowering others—a belief many hold.
Putting people on a pedestal as superior or holier just keeps the cycle going endlessly. Self-interest fuels dictatorships across Africa; while it exists everywhere, it is especially noticeable on that continent, weakening democracy when most people support systems that work against them.
Ill-gotten wealth never lasts. Believing that dishonesty can sustain wealth only fuels destructive political behavior. Corruption makes a mockery of democracy, feeding widespread mental instability. Nothing matters more than tackling the root causes of mental illness worldwide. Altruism—a rare trait—represents true normalcy, and without it, this planet has no hope.
The third group of people can be seen as the balanced ones—aware of the current situation but focused on making the future better. If there’s hope for what lies ahead, it rests with them. They’re not trapped in the past or so caught up in the present that they lose sight of tomorrow. In its best form, democracy aims to shape the future while staying mindful of today’s realities.
Democracy should rest in the hands of altruistic people, guided by selflessness rather than selfishness, which leads to ruin. People need education to understand the value of good governance. With that awareness, altruistic individuals can carefully choose leaders of integrity who genuinely care for the public and legislate for the survival and well-being of everyday citizens.
The foundation of democracy lies with the electors who choose legislators. If these electors lack integrity and can be easily bribed by corrupt individuals, the nation is headed for ruin. The success of democracy depends on valuing dignity, which means caring for fellow humans. When this is upheld, democracy is the most effective form of governance, second only to God’s Kingdom.
Humans were created in God’s image, possessing all the qualities of His character. Problems begin when people fail to recognize that no one is more important than another, and some are wrongly deemed less valuable. Jesus addressed this in His teachings to the disciples:
“Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:25-28, NIV).
Jesus taught that God’s Kingdom is rooted in selflessness, showing that people reflect God’s image. From this perspective, no one should judge others, since appearances cannot reveal the true nature of God’s creation.
Others see it differently, believing God stands above democracy, which has led some Christians to wait for Jesus’ return instead of working to improve the world now. This lack of action leaves them no different from those they criticize.
At its core, the message is that everyone, no matter their background, exists to bring value to others, and no one’s worth can be measured against another’s. Money can be a force for good, but it should never outweigh the people it is meant to serve. Prioritizing money leads to ruin, while true survival comes from recognizing and honoring the value of others.
Two simple questions can help gauge the quality of one’s life:
- Throughout my life, have I been happy to be alive?
- Throughout my life, have most people been glad that I exist?
A negative or positive answer to the first may point to deep misery or even life in squalor. A negative answer to the second may also be discouraging, but it leaves room for hope. A positive answer to the second, however, reflects someone truly happy—someone who makes a difference in this troubled world. It all begins with letting go of the urge to dominate others.
Education can be a privilege, but without practicing altruism, it loses value. The drive to control others opposes integrity, while rejecting it reflects the vision of a new civilization, as taught by Jesus through his disciples.
Looking at political systems around the world, it’s clear that self-centeredness is a common human flaw. Even in a thriving constitutional democracy, things can go wrong if self-interest is left unchecked. While monarchy might seem outdated, an altruistic king could potentially be the best form of government.
The main reason democracy is seen as a better option is that it’s hard to guarantee truly altruistic leadership in a self-centered world. That said, democracy isn’t free from self-interest—it’s built on our natural tendency to want more than we give. Still, since people’s needs often overlap, the results can lean toward the common good.
The Golden Rule—treat others as you would like to be treated—flourishes when people grasp the basics of a healthy democracy. Altruism helps societies survive, while self-centeredness leads to decline. Even the strongest democracies fall short of God’s Kingdom due to ignorance.
For democracy to truly flourish, people need to understand the importance of voting wisely—a factor that often separates wealthy nations from poorer ones. Yet many, swayed by human nature, struggle to think for themselves, relying instead on the influence of others rather than fully developing their own abilities.
The ideal human was never meant to live under someone else’s rule. True humanity is best expressed through complete self-governance. The Kingdom of God is not about God micromanaging every move of those made in His image, but about people being fully capable of leading themselves. The final judgment is God’s last act with humanity, separating the good from the bad, with the latter bound for destruction (Matthew 25:32-46). Political rule exists only because humanity is imperfect.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilisation, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, relieving those who have witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions, leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book to be a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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