Habermas’ deliberative democracy and the Zimbabwean constitution-making process

Abstract

The paper applies Habermas’ theory of deliberative democracy to argue for an objective, non-partisan and non-evil
outcome in the Zimbabwean constitution-making process. Habermas’ deliberative democracy is particularly useful
because it emphasizes rational discourse and it tries to put away prejudices and egoistic tendencies in constitutional
making. For Zimbabweans, non-partisan thinking assumes political equality between human beings as moral
persons who have a conception of rationality. In the current constitution-making process, main political parties
[(Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and Movement for Democratic Change-Morgan
Tsvangirai Faction (MDC-T)] have bargained and campaigned for favoured positions concerning the sticking points
of the constitution. The said political parties have used a calculus of party interests to influence public opinion on
controversial issues in the constitution such as, among others, executive powers, land, war veterans, media and
citizenship. Habermas’ deliberative democracy entails that Zimbabweans should not be disadvantaged by partisan
thinking. It is immoral for political parties to tailor principles so as to fit into their existing power structures. Party
inclinations and aspirations should not override the views of the grassroots people. The opinion rival of the two main
political parties, as the paper argues, creates a slippery slope scenario whereby the media, student unions, trade
unions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have flanked behind either MDC-T or ZANU PF perceptions.
From a logical point of view, such thinking has created a false dichotomy thereby silencing and ignoring a wide
range of alternative viewpoints which transcend partisan views. Further, the paper argues that the future of
Zimbabwe, as enshrined in the proposed constitution, ought not to be sacrificed in the attempt to achieve political
domination since the future of Zimbabwe is great, and lies beyond party politics. What is constitutionally desirable
for Zimbabweans must be reasonable rather than just party inclined and manipulated.