Democratization in Africa
examines the state of progress of democracy in Africa at the
end of the 1990s. The past decade's "third wave" of
democratization, the contributors argue, has been characterized
by retreats as well as advances. In some cases, newly established
democratic orders have devolved into pseudo-democracies while,
in other cases, superficial changes have been used as a cosmetic
screen for continuation of often brutal regimes. The volume
makes clear, however, that political liberalization is making
significant headway.
The first section of the book ("Assessing Africa's
Third Wave") offers several broad analytical surveys
of democratic change and electoral processes in the 48 sub-Saharan
African states. Frequent abuses are noted, but several contributors
find room for guarded optimism. The second section ("South
Africa: An African Success?") focuses on the dramatic
developments in South Africa, the most advanced democracy
on the continent but one faced with enormous challenges in
the aftermath of apartheid. Essays in this section examine
such issues as the role of nongovernmental organizations in
the new political order, the ongoing and linked problems of
racial and economic division, the demographics of public opinion
on democracy, and the viability of the country's new constitution.
The third section of the book ("African Ambiguities")
considers more closely several other African states - Ghana,
Kenya, Uganda, the Gambia, and Nigeria - all at different
crossroads in their progress toward democracy.
"For the past three decades, there has been no lack
of reasons to be pessimistic about Africa's future. But a
more balanced reading is called for... There is significantly
greater political freedom and more space for civil society
in Africa today than a decade ago. Even as some states have
disintegrated, others are moving forward to reconstruction.
There is also a new ideological and intellectual climate.
Unlike during the false start of the first liberation that
came with decolonization, Africa today evinces a new political
sobriety that is hardened (and even jaundiced) by experience,
but not without hope." - from the Introduction
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