Democracy In Africa Research Articles

What role can the Internet play in the development of democracy in Africa?

This article explores the recent trends in information technology, specifically the Internet,and what role it can play in the development and sustainability of democracy in Africa.It examines what role it can play in revitalising the public sphere and how it can influencepolitical decisions in the continent. However, I argue that even though the Internet hashad profound effects on people’s lives, contributing significantly to communication andinformation sharing, its real potential is yet to be realised in Africa. This means in effect,that although it might have contributed to various sociological phenomena, it couldpotentially be dangerous to the growth of democracy in Africa because it is still in thehands of a few, especially those in power.120 Communicare 23(1) - July 2004George

Everyday State and Democracy in Africa: Ethnographic Encounters, edited by Wale Adebanwi

Everyday State and Democracy in Africa: Ethnographic Encounters, edited by Wale Adebanwi

Political apathy and the imperative of media education in Nigeria

The fact that the workability of any political process is largely dependent on the active participation of the masses remains undisputable. Also, the active participation of the masses in any political process is largely dependent on the level of awareness and effective mobilization. Research evidence and critical observations have all pointed to the fact that lack of awareness and effective mobilization of the masses for any political process engender and sustain apathy which ultimately frustrates such political agenda. The paper tried to explore the situation of political apathy in Nigeria and how such apathy could be mitigated by the media. Through intensive review of relevant documents, it was argued that led to critical discourse on the subject of focus of the paper, it was found that lack of education/sanitation of the masses, lack of effective mobilization, the menace of corruption, political violence and consistent military intrusion in governance have fundamentally engendered political apathy in Nigeria. It was also found that the media has the capacity to reduce or ultimately eradicate political apathy by engaging in aggressive sensitization and education of the masses, mobilization of the masses, fighting corruption, correcting political misconceptions and ensuring two-way-communication. Accordingly, the paper advanced a roadmap for the effective utilization of the media not only to change the status quo, but to position Nigeria on the path of political progress as an emerging democracy in Africa.

10 - Interrogating the Cost of Digital Technology and Trust in Elections in Africa: The Nigerian Perspective


 
 
 The adoption of technology in electoral democracy in Africa has been on the increase. The introduction of technology has its positive consideration but it also comes with cost and trust implications, which is a paradox. This study is a descriptive work which made use of both qualitative and quantitative analysis. Electionadministrationtheorywasadopted.Toimproveontheuseofdigital technologies, Africans should be mindful of the failure of digital checks and balances that often render an electoral process even more vulnerable to rigging than it was before. In designing new systems for election management, this article argues that Africans should look inward and integrate the new technologies into relevant environmental and cultural settings in order to reduce the cost while improving on the trust of electorates.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Felicia Osondu Okwueze, Department of Public Administration and Local Government, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria. Email: osondu.okwueze@unn.edu.ng
 
 

The Russian Invasion of Ukraine and the Future of Democracy in South Africa

The South African government and the ruling African National Congress shared the ambivalent responses of many African countries to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Analysing the South African response to the invasion, in the United Nations General Assembly debate and elsewhere, this paper suggests that the country’s professed “non-alignment” or neutrality was misleading, for South Africa was more critical of Western countries (and Ukraine) than of Russia. The support for an imperially minded, undemocratic Russia cast doubt on South Africa’s commitment to liberal democracy. Statements by government officials and members of civil society after the invasion suggested that liberal democracy was tainted by its association with the West. The future of democracy in South Africa is likely to be further weakened by implicit or explicit alignment in the post-invasion world with Russia against the West, for the West is unlikely to strengthen its commitment to democracy in Africa in the face of the challenges posed by Russia and China, countries that have no interest in democracy. While surveys suggest that a majority of South African citizens want their democratic system to continue, the governing elite’s alignment with Russia is likely to weaken the country’s pro-democratic forces.

Democracy for development or it is development for democracy in Africa? Towards sustainable development

For African states’ democratic governance is fundamental for developmental and political discourse while sustainable development is also critical for the continent. Owing to the uneven developmental and historical backgrounds of the African states and democratic deficits it is unclear if sustainable development is achievable ahead of democracy. This study is informed by the constructivist/interpretivist concern as a research philosophy grounded on text and content analysis to identify the nexus between development and democracy on the trail of Africa’s development agenda. While some scholars believe the two are interdependent others claim that the two are independent hence one can be achieved in the absence of the other. Africa should strive to strike a balance between the two as they are not mutually exclusive although it is democracy that should take centre stage. There is a challenge of achieving twin goals in the absence of a blueprint through being robustly innovative.

Decolonising power: A critique of majoritarian democracy in Africa

In recent times, African countries like Nigeria have witnessed a lot of internal problems and challenges associated with their democratic system of governance. These problems have produced ethnic conflicts, security challenges, corruption, poor leadership, betrayal of trust and low quality of life. This article argues that a major cause of these problems is the uncritical adoption of a Western system of democracy and its concomitant structures of power in African societies. The article posits further that the neglect and despising of the indigenous African understanding of power is reasonably responsible for the unfettered flowering of corruption and ethnic conflicts in contemporary Africa. This article recommends decolonising the idea of power central to majoritarian democracy as a major pathway in addressing some pressing sociopolitical problems including conflicts in democratisation processes, injustice and the problem of dictatorships in contemporary African societies. While the indigenous notion of power binds the ruler to a covenant of commitment and performance with the society, this article contends that a reinvigoration of a decolonised notion of power is worth taking seriously.

THE IMPACT OF INTERNATIONAL JUDICIAL INSTITUTIONS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF LEGAL SYSTEMS IN WEST AFRICA (CASE STUDY OF BURKINA FASO)

Purpose: this article examines the impact of international judicial institutions on the development of the legal systems of West Africa, namely Burkina Faso. Research methods: synthesis, analysis, formal-legal, comparative-legal. Results: the impact of international judicial institutions on the development of West African legal systems, particularly in Burkina Faso, was assessed from the perspective of international conflict resolution and its impact on the rule and development of democracy in Africa, and the main grounds for conflict resolution were identified: Discussion: this article reveals the influence of international judicial institutions on the development of the legal systems of West African countries, often due to the political and social realities of the countries. These countries have generally succeeded in developing a colonial system of justice. The legal systems of West African countries derive from different traditions inherited from colonization. They have also been influenced by numerous customs and religious norms which influence the structure of the judicial system in each country. The region is now collectively developing under the aegis of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The Right to Reasons for Administrative Action in Zimbabwe

The so-called ‘third wave’ of democratisation in Africa has witnessed a transition from a culture of impunity in the exercise of public power to more emphasis on a culture based on legality and the protection of fundamental rights of citizens. Important strides have been made in enhancing accountability by those who wield public power through judicial review mechanisms. The right to reasons for any administrative action that has an impact on citizens becomes even more paramount in light of these shifts in democratic ethos. This article focuses on the right to reasons for adverse administrative action in Zimbabwe against the backdrop of the 2013 Constitution, which ushered in the dawn of a new era in so far as the scope of the right to just administrative action is concerned. A critical examination of the nature and scope of the right to reasons is undertaken. Insightful recommendations are then proffered to further enhance the practical meaning of the right in the context of the constitutionally entrenched right to just administrative action in Zimbabwe.

BALANCE OF FREEDOM AND SECURITY IN GHANA'S DEMOCRACY DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: ANALYSIS OF PRESIDENT NANA AKUFO ADDO'S NATIONAL BRIEFINGS

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the balance of freedom and security in Ghana’s democracy during the Covid-19 pandemic via the precautionary measures announced by the government. Ghana is considered as one of the most stable democracies in Africa. Considering the Covid-19 health crisis, via the periodic briefings of the President, this research seeks to find out if and how the President tried to strike a balance between keeping Ghanaians safe and maintaining basic freedoms. Content analysis is used to analyze the 20 speeches given by the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Akufo Addo, from March 2020 to March 2021 to assess the President’s choice of words regarding freedom and security. The findings indicate that, in times of the heightened security threat posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the President’s speeches included plentiful words of securitization. However, with the help of a detailed analysis and contextualization of the words used, the paper concludes that the President’s initiatives and directives were geared towards striking a balance between keeping Ghanaians safe and maintaining basic freedoms.

The impact of the occult on state legitimacy and aid for democratization in Africa

The impact of the occult on state legitimacy and aid for democratization in Africa

Democracy in Postcolonial Africa: Imitation, Adaptation and Re-Creation

In post-colonial Africa, political rulers aimed at achieving national integration, unity and development for their peoples. Yet, the experience, several years after the independence, is at the same time bitter and thought-provoking. Nationalism has failed to be the real finality of political power in most African countries and Democracy itself has still been in the making so much so that African states have the unfortunate reputation of being bad learners from the Western democratic experience. The African experience is that of the persistence of tribal, ethnic or clanic-based considerations over the national interest. This paper aims at rethinking democracy in Africa in view of suggesting a new form of Democracy that is compatible with the traditional organisation of our peoples. Only such a model of government will lead our nations towards Good Governance. Often decried as being outdated and for discriminating against women, traditional chieftaincy still plays a major role in Africa. Because of their proximity to the population, traditional leaders have a strong impact on social cohesion, particularly through traditional mediation. Drawing on the state of governance in Africa, this paper argues that traditional chieftaincy needs to be reinstated and that institutions in Africa need to be reinvented in such a way as to integrate tradition, which is a fertile foundation for peace.

Education, Communication and Democracy in Africa A Democratic Pedagogy for the Future

Education, Communication and Democracy in Africa A Democratic Pedagogy for the Future. Editors: Manthalu, C.H.; Chikaipa, V. and Gunde, A. M. (2022)

Political Parties and Democracy: How Influential Have Political Parties Been in the Growth of Democracy in Africa?

Political Parties and Democracy: How Influential Have Political Parties Been in the Growth of Democracy in Africa?

Effect of Militarisation on Development and Democracy in Africa

Effect of Militarisation on Development and Democracy in Africa

Level of Socio-Political Stability, Income Distribution and Democracy in Africa

Level of Socio-Political Stability, Income Distribution and Democracy in Africa

Weak institutions are the bane of democracy in Africa

Weak institutions are the bane of democracy in Africa

Gender political inclusion and democracy in Africa: some empirical evidence

Gender political inclusion and democracy in Africa: some empirical evidence

Electoral Democracy in Africa: Beyond Ensuring Free, Fair and Transparent Elections

Editorial

Ideal and Non-ideal Deliberation: The Problem of Equivocation

I distinguish between ideal and non-ideal deliberation. I outline the relevance of both ideal and non-ideal theorising to show their respective roles and importance. This helps me to demonstrate that neither of them should be downplayed, confused with the other, or substituted. Although it appears more attractive to be an idealist than a non-idealist in a theoretical debate on social systems, I show that such a perception is practically inadequate. I then argue that when we deliberate, we presuppose either ideal or non-ideal deliberation. I demonstrate that it is consistent to stick to one deliberative presupposition in the same context, and I show that shifting from one deliberative presupposition to another in the same argument or context, is equivocation. I demonstrate how this kind of equivocation confuses and derails the debate. As a case study, I focus on the debate about consensual democracy in Africa. I seek in this essay to contribute lessons regarding the relationship between ideal and non-ideal theorising to the global project of deliberative democracy.