Title:   DEMOCRACY AT CROSSROADS: POLITICAL CORRUPTION IN CHINUA ACHEBE'S A MAN OF THE PEOPLE

Abstract
This paper examines some of the follies and vices prevalent in the African
political systems as portrayed in Chinua Achebe's A Man of the People. The
novel mirrors the social inequalities, exploitation, corruption, materialism and
oppression of the masses that have been the bane of African leaders since
independence from the colonial masters. The novel portrays the hypocrisy of
African political leaders who make to the masses empty promises they know
that they will not fulfill once they get elected into office. Rather, selfishness,
squander mania, misappropriation of scarce resources, suppression of dissent
voices, rigging of elections, thuggery to win by all means becomes the order of
the day. Thus, the masses are schemed out in the process of governance by the
greedy and unpatriotic political class. Marxist theories form the framework for
the study; while data emanated from both primary and secondary sources. The
novel itself, which is the primary sources of data, is subjected to critical analysis;
while journals, library texts and online extracts from the secondary sources of
data. The researchers advocate that political leaders should be altruistic, honest
and dedicated so that the society will be a better one.
Keywords: Democracy, Corruption, Politics, Oppression, Squander mania

Citations:

Publication Date: 2024-03-18