Everest-height heap of evidence abounds in the historical trek of humanity attesting to the fact that whatever is adjudged supreme and immaculate would be consigned to the realm of ordinary through the function of time. From perusal of religious beliefs that were once immune to common-mind curiosity to messiah-ac political ideologies -that people laid their lives for, and to unending-weeks-reigning albums, a fact of towering credibility is the none-permanence of everything that has ever happened to humanity. Shakespeare’s cliché’ says it better.... In a linear rationality, therefore, Democracy which has proven so far to be better than the rest too has in recent times, particularly in our part of the globe, come under serious and severe soul-searching sanctioned opinions. There are questions for example, about the suitability of Westminster democracy to our African context occasioned by the visible difference between it and our time-honoured chieftaincy, which manifest itself in the intolerable intolerance on the part of our African leaders and insatiable longing for longer tenures in power. Consequently, Ghana’s ornate democracy is with all scrutiny not without blemishes, justifying calls for vigorous institutionalisation and restoration. Remember it was the catch phrase in the speech of the just-visited American president. But what exactly is wrong with our democracy? In the first place, democracy thrives on the questioning and critical drives of a fair proportion of the citizenry, who must, like firewood, keep the hearth of democracy aglow. These are our MPs, Ministers, Politicians, ‘Civil-societers’ etc and since these are humans who would not live forever, the case for conscious replenishing of this stock is cogent. From afore, it makes sense to lament the fact that the youth of the country have been subtly and consciously starved of this basic democracy-sustaining nutrients. In our educational institutions, students- from the lecture theatres to their SRC meetings -have been cowed to shun raising critical questions about some societal ills. The modus operandi of the authorities for attaining this, ranges from coercion, cajoles to protection from the wrath of the ordinary students. It is now a common convenience for student leaders to shut their mouths, ears and eyes to even the obvious problems of students that clearly culminate from the insensitiveness of some institutional authorities. The golden rule is ‘you are right as long as I am right and vice versa. Therefore, insofar as a student leader ceases to question any action by those in authority his very every deed is also shielded from questioning. Unfortunately, those impelled by altruism to be critical are often either been rusticated, removed from office through conspiracy with self-seeking students leaving them with nearly indelible blots on their budding political careers or punished academically. As for those who condone, CARRY ON! If today is bad, tomorrow promises to be worse. Another is the increased parochialism and materialism on the part of our politicians. Though this is a reflection of the kind of economic circumstances we find ourselves in, the manifestation of these among politicians who are in the limelight and are the custodians or at least guardians of public purse, is dangerous and treacherous to the Civil Society. It is now commonplace to hear people lump all politicians and say that they are all corrupt or thieves. The cumulative effect is the huge apathy in political process which if not checked could defeat the very purpose of democracy: making life meaningfully organised into predictable patterns capable of promoting the safety of the weak as well as the interest of the strong. Also with the detonative potential to explode is the political coloration along tribal lines which was conspicuously exhibited during the last general election that nearly plunge the nation into irreparable ruins. It is disheartening as well as mindboggling to note that even in our educational institutions, this phenomenon is nauseatingly present. The danger with this issue is the tendency for developments to be skewed within certain areas depending on who is in power. The rancour and acrimony that associate with the power struggle is for this reason. In risking a tag of a pessimist, let me, advisedly, caution that this parody of a democracy of ours, like the Roman Empire, could fall to its knees should there be more of Sunday 28th 2008. For the same division that held The Roman Empire was the same division that eventually saw its demise. An uglier example is Rwanda. Finally, the prevalence of social vices particularly armed robbery and this Sakawa menace is largely attributable to the failure of the family institution and the increasing materialism and the individualism that is the order of the day. Consequently, all measures geared towards fighting these menace would come to naught unless we begin to promote the social good and develop a feeling for the poor and needy in our societies. A democracy that cannot promote the good of majority of the citizens at a time is not different from dictatorship. This is a democracy where the business fortunes are inextricably linked with the outcome of elections and the beneficiaries of the national cake is usually conveniently a fraction of the whole. In conclusion, therefore, the sanctity and safety of our democracy depends on the quantum of confidence that the various actors are able to muster from the citizenry in whose interest and name democracy is so much upheld. Lets remember: the greatest bane to the progress of humanity has never been and will never be difference in Religion, Ethnicity, Politics or the Seeming insufficiency of resources, but that which is, is the unceasing rivalry between private and public interest. Credit: A.A. HANNAN Editor-in–Chief, Sociological PERSPECTIVE (University of Ghana) and CEO, LEGEND EVOLUTION.