Here's a breakdown of how Igbo society differed from British rule and why it's important to avoid making overly simplistic comparisons:
Similarities and Differences:
* Decentralized Power: Igbo society was characterized by decentralized power. Villages and communities were largely self-governing, with no single central authority. This contrasts with the centralized, hierarchical nature of British rule.
* Age Grades and Councils: Igbo society used age grades and councils to make decisions. These structures often involved consensus-building and negotiation, demonstrating elements of participatory decision-making.
* Role of Women: While women were not considered equal to men in many aspects of Igbo life, they did have some political influence and participated in communal decision-making processes, particularly in matters concerning the family and community.
* Democratic Concepts: The Igbo concept of "democracy" differed significantly from Western models. The Igbo system focused on consensus and collective decision-making, while the British system relied on representative government and majority rule.
Challenges of Comparison:
* Different Values and Concepts: It's crucial to avoid imposing modern Western notions of democracy onto a completely different cultural context. The Igbo system was based on different values, social structures, and concepts of governance.
* Lack of Universal Suffrage: While the Igbo had participatory decision-making, it was not universal suffrage. In many areas, women and those not belonging to a particular age grade did not hold equal political rights.
* Limited Scope of Decision-Making: The Igbo system's focus on consensus and local autonomy could be seen as a limitation, as it restricted the scope of decision-making and could lead to stagnation on larger societal issues.
Conclusion:
While Igbo society had elements of participatory decision-making and decentralized power, claiming it was "more democratic" than British rule is problematic. It oversimplifies the complex nature of both systems and ignores significant differences in values and concepts of governance. Instead, it's more accurate to acknowledge the unique characteristics of both systems and understand their complexities and limitations.