Power, Youth & The Path To Change: A Case For Democratic Evolution

Power, Youth, and the Path to Change: A Case for Democratic Evolution

As an african, succeeding in Africa is like searching for a tiny earring inside your handbag—difficult but possible. On the other hand, succeeding in America is like searching for that same earring in an amusement park—equally challenging, but in an entirely different way. The key difference is this: success in Africa often demands back-breaking labor, thanks to systemic gaps, while in America, many of those gaps have already been plugged—unless you're venturing into an entirely new field.

Africans who aren’t intimidated by the heavy lifting and systemic gaps will remain unfazed. But those who question why such gaps still exist may find themselves yearning for more structured systems.

Every nation places its trust in the age group it believes can shoulder its burdens, meet its challenges, and drive its progress. If that age group consists of the elderly, then old men and women will run the government. Fundamentally, voters rarely vote based on ideology—they vote for whoever can best tackle their immediate concerns. No amount of flowery language can mask that reality.

In any country where the youth have demonstrated their ability to manage challenges effectively, the machinery of governance naturally shifts in their direction. But if the younger generation still depends on the elderly—financially, spiritually, or in leadership—the old will continue to lead. For the youth to rule, they must be independent. As the older generation gradually begins to trust the young, a power shift becomes inevitable. That’s the natural order of things.

Revolutions often begin from a place of frustration with the status quo. Yet, those who ignite revolutions don’t always have the insight to see them through. It’s usually those who understand the intricate power dynamics and the pathways to governance who ride the wave to the end—and eventually gain power.

To lead a successful revolution, one must also understand how to manage a smooth democratic transition. To be truly kind, one must understand cruelty—because only then can kindness shine. To succeed greatly, one must first taste failure. It’s a double-edged sword: if people cling to one side of the coin, life continues in its usual rhythm. The privileged remain so; the struggling continue to struggle. But when the coin flips, those who benefit from the current order will resist change with all their might, while revolutionaries will push forward. However, it is those who understand both faces of the coin who ultimately thrive—regardless of which side is up. That understanding is the key to transforming any society.

At the core of human existence lie basic needs. Today, most people don’t crave billions stacked in bank accounts. They just want to live simply—have food, shelter, clothing, companionship, and family. Whoever can meet these needs for the masses wins their loyalty. Society isn’t just made up of the bourgeoisie—it also includes elites and power players whose needs are more ideological. Power appeals to them, and whoever understands this can build real support.

Even successful revolutionary figures understood this dynamic. They saw power as a vehicle to leadership. Any other path tends to demand more than it offers—and makes meaningful change almost impossible.

So, how can the young take over from the old?

By fighting? No. Many young people benefit from the system the old built. To fight that system is to fight their own peers. That’s a losing battle.

The old still meet the basic needs of many, even if imperfectly. To win over those people, the youth must offer something better. That is the strength of the old: consistency in delivering just enough. To beat that, the youth must raise the bar significantly.

However, young people who consistently provide grassroots solutions are already paving the road to power. This leads to a natural, organic transition. Yet, as in chemistry, some reactions need catalysts to speed up the process. Revolutions, coups, and innovative solutions are all catalysts that accelerate the transfer of power. Even power itself can act as a catalyst.

If one path fails due to ignorance, others may succeed—provided there’s knowledge and understanding.

History Case Scenario

King David lived for 70 years and reigned for 40. His son Solomon became king at just 17, a full 13 years earlier than his father. Solomon’s quick rise to power was catalyzed by his father's support—but even that wasn’t enough on its own. After David's death, Solomon’s older brothers, seasoned and experienced, could have laid siege to the throne. What protected Solomon? His wisdom and understanding. As a king of peace, brute force could only take him so far. It was his inner strength—his insight—that preserved his reign.

David’s transition to Solomon marked a revolutionary shift—a peaceful revolution undergirded by wisdom. Typically, the ultimate catalyst for regime change is death. Until the ruling power “dies,” no new government can rise. David could’ve staged a coup but instead chose natural timing. Later rulers weren’t always so noble.

This was in a monarchy. In democracies, the baton is passed through time-bound elections governed by constitutions. These constitutions—written by visionary, selfless leaders—are first principles, not exhaustive manuals. That’s why amendments exist: to keep pace with human evolution.

Each elected leader follows the constitution laid down by predecessors who cared more about posterity than self-interest. That alone gives the constitution its credibility.

If one truly understands a nation's constitution and the heartbeat of its society, democratic transitions become tools for transformation. More so, constitutions assign timeframes to rotate power and ensure governance evolves.

In nations where constitutions are honored, the spirits of their founding fathers—along with their integrity—live on. In nations where they are not, chaos takes over.

To change a constitution, one must have demonstrated even greater service than those who drafted it. Life does not reward mediocrity with such power; it honors those who serve humanity with depth and sacrifice.

Holy books shape generations. So do constitutions.

In Conclusion

Democratic transitions offer structured, peaceful pathways to change. Coups don’t. While democracy provides blueprints for handling change, coups leave chaos in their wake. Coups are about personal ambition, not collective service—or so it seems. 

In monarchies, the king was seen as God’s representative. In democracies, the people see themselves as co-creators of their destiny—choosing leaders and retaining the power to remove them. That’s how constitutions were born.

When religious leaders pass on, their holy books guide successors. When coup leaders die, often only the constitution remains to stabilize the nation. Democracy, despite its imperfections, is still the most reliable vehicle for lasting change.

Coups and revolutions are not leadership systems; they’re vehicles for transition. Unfortunately, those who drive them rarely live to assess their outcomes. But history speaks—it tells us what lies ahead. After all, there is nothing new under the sun.