The Involvement of the People in Political Governance - A Liberian Dilemma

Political participation in Liberia has always been a problem. The involvement of the people in the decision-making process has been one of the major causes of Liberia's political crisis. These problems have persisted since the formative days of the Liberian state that caused changes in governments both violently and in democratic elections. A case study is directed at the National Legislature, in which members of the Legislature and the bureaucracy in legislation are examined to determine the level of involvement of the represented people. It shows the people are unaware of the laws promulgated by their respective representatives and the extent of the nature and context of those laws passed, affecting their lives daily. Consequently, elections of members of the Legislature are expected to be done based on formed policies and issues of national development. The question is whether voting legislators into office is done on informed national policy issues or personal beliefs of the electorates.