Journal Articles

Democracy in Africa : A Very Short History

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When discussing governance in Africa, one must be circumspect when applying the term "democracy." One reason for doing so is because the term is imprecise. However, while differing in the attributes they posit and the qualifications they impose, those who write of democracy join in emphasizing its essential property: that it is a form of government in which political power is employed to serve the interests of the public rather than of those who govern. And it is this attribute that I take as defining good governance. In this essay, I argue that democracy, in this sense, has been reborn in Africa. The evidence, I argue, strongly suggests that its renaissance has been accompanied by changes in public policies and political practices-ones that generate benefit for the people. But the evidence also suggests that political dangers remain: incumbent parties strive to suborn the electoral process and incumbent executives seek to prolong their terms in office. As elsewhere, to retain their political liberties, Africa's citizens must "remain vigilant."Paraphrasing John Adams at the Constitutional, Africa today may enjoy better governance, but "can [she] keep it."

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Detail Information

Series Title

Social Research An International Quarterly

Call Number

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Publisher

New York : The New School., 2011

Collation

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Language

English

ISBN/ISSN

0037783X

Classification

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Content Type

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Media Type

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Carrier Type

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Edition

Volume 77, Number 4 / Winter 2010, Pp. 1133 - 1148

Subject(s)

Public policies
Democracy in Africa
Governance in Africa

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