Abstract

The objective of this paper consists in undertaking a philosophical inflection on a specific, particular but peculiar dimension of the problem and question of the existence, experience and experiment of democracy in Africa. Essentially, this peculiar problem concerning democracy has been tagged and termed “The Universality-Particularity Debate on Democracy in Africa”. For decades, the democracy question appears to have translated itself into a problem, predicament, nightmare and a peculiar sense of dilemma. In the first instance, the paper discovers that this debate derives its import from the field of philosophy which means that a philosophical reflection is what is required and needed to do adequate justice concerning its comprehension as well as a generous and general application to the realities that titivate and permeate Africa in relation to the democratic experience. Furthermore, the paper discovers that there is a sense and essence of positive profitability in the several seasoned sessions in which debate has occurred. The paper concludes that, in sure terms, even if an unwavering wave of commitment and intentional insistence has been exercised by proponent of these differing orientations, yet, the reflective attitude adopted with respect to the debate provides a clear indication that it is important to address, adore and admire, for proper use and unquestioned utility, the impeccability of a people locality without transgressing the sense and essence of global virtues that are openly, obviously and observably necessitated by condition and character that are contextually driven and consciously relevant.

Keywords: Universality, Particularity, Debate, Question, Dilemma, Philosophy, Africa