A functioning, robust democracy requires a healthy educated

Hear, O children of destiny, the words of Chinua Achebe, sage of Africa, whose voice rose not only in poetry and story, but in prophecy for the nations: “A functioning, robust democracy requires a healthy educated, participatory followership, and an educated, morally grounded leadership.” This truth is not light as the breeze, but heavy as the foundation of nations. For he speaks to the eternal struggle of people and power—that no society can endure in freedom unless both the leaders and the led carry the weight of responsibility with wisdom and virtue.

What is a robust democracy? It is not merely the holding of elections, nor the outward show of parliaments and speeches. It is a living body, strong in spirit, in which the voice of the people is not an echo but a flame. Such a democracy breathes only when its people are awake, when they participate, when they understand, and when they demand justice with knowledge. Without this strength, democracy becomes but a shadow, easily twisted by deceitful rulers, fragile and hollow within.

Achebe names the first pillar: an educated followership. The people must know, must think, must discern truth from lies. A people ignorant are a people enslaved, even if they believe themselves free. For ignorance makes them vulnerable to false promises, to demagogues who rise with honeyed words but carry poison in their hearts. But when the people are educated—when they understand history, law, and their own rights—then they are not clay in the hands of rulers, but stone foundations that cannot be moved.

Yet education alone is not enough. The people must be participatory—they must act. Knowledge without action is like a sword left sheathed in the hour of battle. A robust democracy requires citizens who vote, who speak, who question, who stand up for what is right even when it is costly. A silent people, though educated, are powerless. A participatory people, though small in number, can shake empires and topple tyrants.

The second pillar Achebe names is leadership—but not leadership as the world often sees it: greedy, corrupt, and hungry for power. He calls for leadership that is morally grounded, for without morality, education alone becomes cunning and deceit. A leader may be clever in strategy, yet if his heart is not anchored in justice and truth, his cleverness will destroy rather than build. But the leader who marries education with morality becomes a guardian of the people, a servant of justice, and a shepherd of freedom.

Consider the tale of Nelson Mandela. He endured prison not for ambition, but for principle. When at last he rose to lead South Africa, he could have chosen vengeance. Instead, he chose reconciliation. His leadership was educated, for he understood the law and the world, but it was also morally grounded, for he guided his people not into hatred but into hope. At the same time, his people, long oppressed, became participatory, rising to claim their voice. Together, this created not a fragile illusion of democracy, but a new foundation upon which a nation could stand.

The lesson, O listeners, is this: the health of a nation rests not on leaders alone, nor on followers alone, but on both. The people must be awake, informed, and active; the leaders must be wise, just, and anchored in virtue. If either falters, democracy withers. If the people sleep, corrupt leaders will reign. If leaders are corrupt, even the strongest people will suffer. But if both rise together—leaders of integrity and followers of courage—then democracy will be robust, and freedom will endure.

Therefore, let this be your practice: seek always to learn, and to teach others; do not stand silent, but participate in the life of your community; and if you are called to lead, anchor yourself in morality and truth. For as Achebe has declared, a functioning democracy requires both wise followers and virtuous leaders. Without both, liberty is a dream; with both, liberty becomes a fortress no tyrant can overthrow.