Abstract
This study examines important factors of disenfranchisement of political subdivisions in Liberia, especially counties and districts due largely to the presidential power of appointment. The study analyzes survey, empirical, and constitutional amendment data gathered by Afrobarometer (Round 7 Survey), election statistics, and public officials’ appointment information. It then correlates associations between the number of county executives, presidential tenure, and referendum approvals to demonstrate a diminishment of democracy due to denying citizens’ right to vote for their local leaders. This has resulted from a gradual enhancement of the Liberian president’s power of appointment, which developed neopatrimonialism in Liberia and continues to foster a patronage system of governance that increases public corruption, a practice that has minimized state capacity, fostered state instability, and raised the potential for conflict.
Highlights
The reduction of democratization in Liberia started with the elimination of multiple-party politics in the 1870s
Gobewole (2015) stated that “In this form of administration, presidents view the administration of policies as a “personal affair,” give public officials authority on a need basis, and “treat officials arbitrarily,” while public officials treat citizens in a similar manner....(p.2). This persistent neopatrimonialism is the crux of public corruption, including bribery, rent-seeking, and nepotism, in the Liberian government, and in turn is a large part of the reason for poverty in Liberian society
This gave citizens leverage to punish them for public corruption in short intervals. These electoral standards and short terms made it difficult for Liberia’s president to accrue excessive political power from citizens of the nation. This more democratic period was marked by denial of citizenship for indigenous tribal groups that resided in the region prior to Liberia’s founding in 1847 (Liebenow, 1987)
Summary
The reduction of democratization in Liberia started with the elimination of multiple-party politics in the 1870s. The True Whig Party become the dominant and single political party in Liberia from 1878 to 1980 (Global Security, 2020) This hundred and two (102) years of one-party state led to the transformation of elected officials’ term of office and accrued appointment power to the president, a process accomplished through amendments to the constitution. Gobewole (2015) stated that “In this form of administration, presidents (heads of state) view the administration of policies as a “personal affair,” give public officials authority on a need basis, and “treat officials arbitrarily,” while public officials treat citizens in a similar manner....(p.2) This persistent neopatrimonialism is the crux of public corruption, including bribery, rent-seeking, and nepotism, in the Liberian government, and in turn is a large part of the reason for poverty in Liberian society. This is a situation that can be corrected by instituting progressive public policy to enhance democracy and economic development
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