The changing character of democracy in the pre and post colonial Cameroon: An old practice, a new word

Democracy has always been an existing practice throughout the world since the creation of humanity. Therefore, every democracy has a historical background, be it Athenian or American democracy. No democracy comes from nowhere. This was the case with the African and Cameroonian democracy which existed as far back as the pre-colonial period. Cameroons pre-colonial societies possessed highly developed traditional political institutions which ensured the political participation of all their clans and villages. Democracy in this study locale resulted from existing customs and practices, administrative set ups and assumptions which all formed a continuous and steady system of government throughout its different historical moments. The objective of this paper is to trace the origin and evolution of Cameroonian democracy throughout different historical intervals. The themes therefore range from ancient democracy practised in the pre-colonial period to western democracy adopted and practised in the post colonial period. Democracy, apart from being an intellectual concept or discourse is about a set of beliefs and assumptions embedded in our culture. This administrative mechanism seeks to solve the great dilemma of human life especially in how one can successfully co-exist with others and live as part of a community. Following historical research methods, the data collected led to the conclusion that, democracy is not perfect and is a continuous process. The main articulations in this paper shall centre on democracy in ancient time, colonial and post colonial Cameroon each tailored with its own characteristics, mode of functioning and difficulties.