The Transition to Democratic Governance in Africa: The Continuing Struggle

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Africa is currently experiencing sociopolitical and economic changes of unprecedented proportions. New leaders, institutions, discourses, and methods of political organization and action are shaping a new future. Through a case-study approach, this essay collection provides a comprehensive analysis of the history, trajectory, actors, institutions, contradictions, failures, and opportunities in contemporary efforts at democratization in Africa. While presenting the dynamics of democracy and democratization in several African countries, they also look at critical issues in Africa's transition projects from political parties and elections through constitutions and constitutionalism to new structures of power and politics. A provocative analysis for scholars, students, researchers, and policy makers involved with African political and economic development.

Reviews

The essays are carefully written and documented and cover a comprehensive range of issues: globalization, economic strategies for growth, constitutionalism, a doctrine of democratization, role of the military, role of women, human rights, ethnicity, environment, HIV/AIDS, opposition politics, and rural development. This is an ambitious undertaking as the authors seek ways to deal with reconstruction of African governments. Readers may not agree with many of the interpretations or solutions, but they will certainly be challenged to discuss and debate many of the essays. Excellent bibliography and index. Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers.-Choice
"The essays are carefully written and documented and cover a comprehensive range of issues: globalization, economic strategies for growth, constitutionalism, a doctrine of democratization, role of the military, role of women, human rights, ethnicity, environment, HIV/AIDS, opposition politics, and rural development. This is an ambitious undertaking as the authors seek ways to deal with reconstruction of African governments. Readers may not agree with many of the interpretations or solutions, but they will certainly be challenged to discuss and debate many of the essays. Excellent bibliography and index. Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers."-Choice

Author Bio

JOHN MUKUM MBAKU is Willard L. Eccles Professor of Economics and John S. Hinckley Fellow at Weber State University. Among his earlier books is Institutions and Reform in Africa: The Public Choice Perspective (Praeger, 1997). JULIUS OMOZUANVBO IHONVBERE is Professor of Government at the University of Texas, Austin.