Transitions and Consolidation of Democracy in Africa
Title | Transitions and Consolidation of Democracy in Africa PDF eBook |
Author | Samuel Ebow Quainoo |
Publisher | Global Academic Publishing |
Total Pages | 176 |
Release | 2008 |
Genre | History |
ISBN | 9781586840402 |
What conditions motivate a transition to democracy? Can the dynamics of a transition influence its outcome? Under what circumstances has democracy been consolidated in Africa? This trilogy of questions has become necessary in light of the current democratic wave engulfing Africa and the rest of the world. In examining the conditions that initiate democratic transitions, this book investigates the circumstances under which democracy movements have operated between 1980 and 1990. It concludes that, contrary to dominant democratic theory, the transitions to democracy in Africa have occurred under declining levels of development. With regard to transitions, the book recognizes that they have their own dynamics. Two main types of transitions are discerned: top-down and bottom-up. The book argues that in spite of the restrictive nature of top-down transitions, they offer a better opportunity for democratic consolidation because of the consensus between elites of the pro-democracy regime and their counterparts in the authoritarian regime, a condition that is normally absent under bottom-up transitions. Finally, relying on the cases of consolidated democracies, the book derives an African democracy model. The model delineates five main conditions that facilitate democratic consolidation, including good leadership, relevant political institutions, external support, civic space, and a reasonable level of development. It cautions, however, that these are not sufficient conditions, nor are all of them necessary. Since countries have unique historical circumstances, specific countries will have to combine conditions in the model that are relevant to that society to consolidate its democracy. The right combination will depend on the specific needs of the individual country.
Consolidation of Democracy in Africa
Title | Consolidation of Democracy in Africa PDF eBook |
Author | Hussein Solomon |
Publisher | Routledge |
Total Pages | 331 |
Release | 2017-11-22 |
Genre | Political Science |
ISBN | 135175128X |
This title was first published in 2000: The continent of Africa is undergoing great change. While on the one hand there is talk of a re-awakening of Africa or Renaissance various countries in Africa are still plagued by poverty, intra- and interstate violence. In some countries the legacy of neo-colonialism and under development contributed to social strife and the potential criminalization of the State. This book addresses the topic of democratization and sustainable democracy in Africa against this background.
Democratic Transitions in East Africa
Title | Democratic Transitions in East Africa PDF eBook |
Author | F. Wafula Okumu |
Publisher | Routledge |
Total Pages | 269 |
Release | 2019-07-16 |
Genre | Political Science |
ISBN | 0429557477 |
Originally published in 2004. Genocide in Rwanda, massive floods of refugees and displaced people in the Horn of Africa, violent civil wars in the West African countries of Sierra Leone and Liberia - these are testimonies to the tremendous cost to grassroots communities when the authority and legitimacy of national political systems and leaders are called into question. The consolidation of democracy represents one tangible strategy to restore authority and legitimacy of political rule, providing the peace and security necessary for political enfranchisement and economic opportunity. This volume explores the factors that are crucial to the emergence of democratic political systems on the African continent, specifically focusing on Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. It highlights the political challenges facing these countries during this crucial transition period, and provides insights that are applicable to other countries engaged in this process in Africa and beyond.
Here the People Rule
Title | Here the People Rule PDF eBook |
Author | John W. Forje |
Publisher | Nova Science Publishers |
Total Pages | 0 |
Release | 2011 |
Genre | Africa |
ISBN | 9781612090245 |
The study is focused on empowering the people in order to cultivate, nurture, and consolidate democratisation and good governance processes in Africa and to better improve on the quality livelihood of the population. This book was inspired following participation at the Conference of Community Democracies (COD) backed by many years of teaching. It penetrates into some fundamental challenges plaguing the continent. One is to root out the persistent and entrenched authoritarian rule and abject poverty of the "bottom billion" of humanity. How can African countries improve on the state-of-the-art of democracy and good governance to build a New Brave and Better Continent? An x-ray of state, civil society-private sector interface is undertaken: highlighting such interface as essential inputs in the developmental process of Africa. It argues at length on the issue of quality and visionary leadership as Africa's greatest deficit.
Democratic Experiments in Africa
Title | Democratic Experiments in Africa PDF eBook |
Author | Michael Bratton |
Publisher | Cambridge University Press |
Total Pages | 336 |
Release | 1997-08-13 |
Genre | History |
ISBN | 9780521556125 |
Appendix: The Data Set.
Trade Unions and the Coming of Democracy in Africa
Title | Trade Unions and the Coming of Democracy in Africa PDF eBook |
Author | Jon Kraus |
Publisher | Palgrave MacMillan |
Total Pages | 318 |
Release | 2007-12-15 |
Genre | Business & Economics |
ISBN |
This book uniquely depicts the preeminent role that African trade unions played in ousting dictatorships and bringing democracy to many African countries in the 1990s. In the analytical introduction and case studies of major African countries, leading scholars relate how democratic trade unions were critical in launching and sustaining democratization. Working with other societal groups and parties, unions continue to represent the popular classes and invigorate democratic life in these otherwise elite-dominated countries.
Electoral Politics in Africa since 1990
Title | Electoral Politics in Africa since 1990 PDF eBook |
Author | Jaimie Bleck |
Publisher | Cambridge University Press |
Total Pages | |
Release | 2018-11-29 |
Genre | Political Science |
ISBN | 1108680623 |
Democratic transitions in the early 1990s introduced a sea change in Sub-Saharan African politics. Between 1990 and 2015, several hundred competitive legislative and presidential elections were held in all but a handful of the region's countries. This book is the first comprehensive comparative analysis of the key issues, actors, and trends in these elections over the last quarter century. The book asks: what motivates African citizens to vote? What issues do candidates campaign on? How has the turn to regular elections promoted greater democracy? Has regular electoral competition made a difference for the welfare of citizens? The authors argue that regular elections have both caused significant changes in African politics and been influenced in turn by a rapidly changing continent - even if few of the political systems that now convene elections can be considered democratic, and even if many old features of African politics persist.