EDITOR'S NOTE ON GOVERNANCE

Several months ago, we thought we were about to see light at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic tunnel. Then our high optimism was deflated by the emergence of the D variant of the virus. Although, optimism is rising again since more than 70% of the eligible people in the developed countries have now been vaccinated. Unfortunately, the fact that the level of vaccination in the developing countries is still extremely low, thus providing a breeding ground for new variants of the virus which may be resistant to the present vaccines, does not assure us that we will soon be out of the pandemic. More trouble is also mounting on the economic front where the pandemic has negatively affected international trade. Both Europe and America are experiencing depressed manufacturing as well as delayed delivery of goods. In some areas, stores have empty shelves. Hopefully, by next year, things will be better.

The September issue was a fact check on the validity of the notion of the “the good old days.” The October issue is devoted to various aspects of governance. The most ideal form of governance is one in which all citizens are assured of freedom, security, popular participation, fairness, authenticity, justice, honesty, freedom, compassion, tolerance, and kindness, not only in words, but also in deeds. Only a democratic system can fulfill many, if not all, such requirements. In this October issue, contributors discuss several factors which either hinder or promote democratic governance and how different countries and regions have managed their situations to create what they consider to be a democratic country.

Unity, from family to continent, is an important ingredient for building a democratic system. This is discussed in several of the articles including the submissions of Leo Igwe, and Jonathan Power. Okot Nyormoi examines the question of whether there is an African specific type of democracy? Ocaya p’Ocure tells us whether the United States has a type of democracy which it always claims to be? John Otim tells how every now and then one encounters the unexpected.