A Superfície e a Profundidade da Democracia Bissau-Guineense

Abstract

Summary: This article addresses the contours of the democratic process in Guinea-Bissau, highlighting its formal/procedural dimension – constrained by political-electoral regulations of rotation and transparency in power, as well as the respect for democratic rules – and its substantive dimension – stemming from the idea that it begins with action and recognition of respect for human dignity in favor of achieving basic human rights, such as social justice and political equality. The work is of a bibliographical nature and uses a qualitative methodological technique based on a systematic review of the literature to decipher the essential characteristics of the challenges in the Guinean socio-political ecosystem. For the purpose of organizing the argument outline, the article is divided into three parts. In the first, a brief conceptual and theoretical analysis of formal and substantive democracy is conducted. In the second part, the process of democratic transformation in Guinea-Bissau is examined through a historical-political analysis. In the third and final part, we present the concluding remarks, followed by a panoramic analysis. The conclusion is that Guinea-Bissau is experiencing a fictional democracy that externally functions poorly and maintains a competitive scheme for vote aggregation but does not adhere to the rules of the democratic game. It falls short in terms of promoting justice, free elections, and effective democratic quality to enhance participation beyond procedural representation mechanisms. It fails to improve people's participation in strengthening political power through education, citizenship, and access to information.