Some pre-colonial West African governments were democratic because of the existence of
Answer Details
Some pre-colonial West African governments were democratic because of the existence of checks and balances.
Before the colonial era, many West African societies had systems of government that were based on a complex web of relationships between different social groups. These systems were often characterized by a strong sense of communalism, in which decisions were made by consensus rather than by a single ruler or governing body.
One of the key features of these systems was the presence of checks and balances, which helped to prevent any one group or individual from becoming too powerful. For example, in some societies, the ruling council was made up of representatives from different clans or lineages, and decisions were made by consensus. In others, age grades or secret societies played an important role in regulating the actions of rulers and preventing abuses of power.
These systems were also often characterized by a high degree of public participation and accountability. For example, rulers were often expected to consult with their subjects and take their views into account when making decisions. Disputes were typically resolved through public forums, such as village meetings or community courts, rather than through force or coercion.
In summary, some pre-colonial West African governments were democratic because of the presence of checks and balances, which helped to prevent abuses of power and ensure public participation and accountability in decision-making.