Democracy in Africa has been shaped by the colonial powers that ran Africa until the period
of decolonisation that began in the 1960’s. Thereafter Africa has attempted to follow the
European model of democratic governance. However, whilst African democracy has shown
some improvement, it is still having legitimacy problems and African states are characterised
by corruption and autocracy.
This report will highlight the impediments to the furthering of democracy in Africa and what
can be done to increase the role of democracy in African States. There will be a focus on the
role played by colonialism and the ethnic divides that exist in Africa. We will then examine
how corruption and the economic problems of African States are restraining democratic
legitimacy and the effect these problems have on human rights. Lastly, we will concentrate on
the role that other state and non-state actors have on democracy in Africa.
However, before looking at these aspects of the debate, it is important to understand
democracy and its basis. Democracy is not a single approach but rather a commitment to
certain institutions such as the rule of law, civil society and political accountability through
free and fair elections by an electorate based on universal suffrage. It also includes (to a
varying degree) freedom of speech, the development of a civic culture and the acceptance of a
social contract.
Table of Contents
1. Ethnic fragmentation
2. Legitimacy deficit / Weak states
3. Lack of economic development
4. External factors/ Influence of international organisations
5. Human rights
Objectives and Topics
This report investigates the primary impediments to the development and consolidation of democratic governance within African states, analyzing why the Western model of democracy has frequently struggled to take root. The research questions focus on the structural, historical, and socio-economic challenges that continue to hinder democratic legitimacy and political stability across the continent.
- The historical legacy of colonialism and its impact on ethnic cohesion.
- The crisis of legitimacy within post-colonial state structures.
- The correlation between economic underdevelopment and democratic failure.
- The role of external international organizations and their conditional aid policies.
- The erosion of human rights and its impact on political participation.
Excerpt from the Book
1. Ethnic fragmentation
At the Berlin Conference, European powers carved up the map of Africa without regard for the integrity of existing cultural groups and state systems. As a consequence, some large ethnic groups were split up, while others with little in common or a history of warfare and enmity, were forced to be part of a single new state. With it, the colonial powers also created a class system based on race, laying a foundation for even more social tensions. These ethnic divisions can be a huge challenge to political stability because the clash of diverse cultural traditions foster political tensions between groups in Africa, threatening the democratic system. Problems created by such fragmented societies may even result in civil wars like in Somalia, creating social and political chaos and making democratic governance impossible.
Ethnicity was furthermore the major characteristic by which the various emerging parties could differentiate themselves, after the discrediting of socialism left no chance of ideological contrast. Competitive political parties and open elections mobilised ethnic, religious and racial solidarities intensifying disintegrative pressures on fragile states. Quite often ethnic groups hold power at the expense of other ethnic tribes, neglecting the democratic principle of participation. This has led to dramatic cases of increased ethnic hatred directly linked to multiparty elections. Burundi is a telling example. The country has a history of open ethnic conflict and had been dominated since independence by the Tutsi minority. Multiparty democratic elections inevitably handed power to a Hutu party. Tutsi officers who controlled the army did not accept the defeat. They staged a military coup that led to the massacre of the elected President, many cabinet officers and thousands of civilians, leaving the country on the verge of genocidal conflict. However, in some countries, greater decentralisation or a fairer distribution of power helped in dealing with ethnic rivalries. As a matter of fact, it would be a mistake to conclude that the mere presence of deep ethnic divisions doomed Africa to democratic failure.
Summary of Chapters
1. Ethnic fragmentation: This chapter analyzes how colonial border drawing created artificial states that ignored cultural integrity, leading to tensions and civil conflicts that undermine democratic stability.
2. Legitimacy deficit / Weak states: This section examines why Western democratic models often failed in Africa, identifying the disconnect between imposed political structures and pre-colonial, tradition-based patronage systems.
3. Lack of economic development: This chapter argues that severe economic issues, including poverty, unemployment, and illiteracy, prioritize survival over democratic participation, while corrupt regimes further deplete national resources.
4. External factors/ Influence of international organisations: This chapter explores how international aid, often tied to political conditions, can produce unpopular policies that reduce government legitimacy rather than foster democracy.
5. Human rights: This chapter concludes that the suppression of basic human rights and media control is a tool used by elites to maintain power, ultimately hindering the development of an active, democratic political culture.
Keywords
Democracy, Africa, Colonialism, Ethnicity, Legitimacy, Corruption, Economic Development, Human Rights, Political Stability, Patronage, State Weakness, Civil Society, Structural Adjustment, Elections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on identifying the primary impediments to the furthering of democracy in Africa, exploring why the transition to democratic governance has been challenging for many African states.
Which key thematic areas are covered?
The themes include the historical impact of colonialism, ethnic division, legitimacy crises, economic hardships, the influence of international organizations, and the status of human rights.
What is the primary objective of the work?
The objective is to highlight what prevents the strengthening of democracy in Africa and to analyze the specific factors—such as corruption and external political pressure—that obstruct democratic consolidation.
What methodology is applied in the study?
The work employs a qualitative analysis of political and historical factors, drawing upon existing academic literature and case studies to examine the structural barriers to African democracy.
What is discussed in the main body of the text?
The body analyzes the impact of colonial legacies on ethnic fragmentation, the incompatibility of imposed Western systems with traditional patronage networks, economic hurdles, international interference, and the suppression of opposition.
How can the paper be characterized through keywords?
The paper is characterized by terms such as democracy, legitimacy, corruption, colonial legacy, ethnic fragmentation, and economic development.
How does the author describe the relationship between patronage and modern statehood?
The author explains that many African states still operate through pre-colonial patron-client relationships, which conflict with democratic principles of universal rights and public competition.
What role does the international community play in the democratic deficit mentioned?
The international community is described as having influence through conditional aid, which often forces unpopular economic reforms and prioritizes standardized election procedures over the fundamental components of democracy, such as the rule of law.
- Quote paper
- Lucia Schuster (Author), 2002, What are the main impediments to democracy in Africa, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/13831
