Download or read book The Challenge of Democratic Governance in the African Region written by Adekunbi Johnson Odusanya and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The welfare of the people is the hallmark of democracy and this is implied in Abraham Lincoln's definition of democracy. Government exists to cater for the citizens and that is democratic governance. The main challenge to welfarism in post colonisation Africa was touted to be the economic challenges faced by most if not all the countries in Africa. This necessitated recourse to borrowing from their former overlords, international agencies such as the Brentwood organizations. These loans or aids came with conditions and conditionalties which necessitated the adoption of such economic programmes as the Structural Adjustment Policy (SAP), austerity measures, deregulation of currencies and other International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditionalities. These programmes or policies became the buzzwords and eventually became (un)popular with African countries since the mid-1980s. In Nigeria for example SAP was introduced in 1986. One of the dictates of SAP is the reduction of welfarism by the state. This generated protests from all segments of the nation as the average citizen questions the justification of his continuous obligation to a state which cannot longer play its role to its citizens. S. 14 (2) (b) of the Constitution of Federal Republic Nigeria 1999 (CFRN'99) provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. The incessant disturbances, riots, strife, unrests, agitations, insurgencies, terrorism and general insecurity now prevalent in Nigeria can be described as reactions of the average citizen to such perceived injustice. The continued existence of the state is thus threatened by the citizenry. This has in turn forced authoritarian response from the state. Such authoritarian responses pose a great challenge to democratic governance and sustainable development in the country touted as the “giant of Africa” with a teeming population of over 160 Million as at the last census. This paper assesses the responsibilities of the government to its citizens. It examines the level of state participation in provision of basic amenities for the citizenry. It argues that aside from economic challenges, corruption, ignorance and illiteracy remain the major hindrances to welfarism and consequently democratic governance in Africa in general and Nigeria in particular. The paper assesses the African Union (AU) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) efforts at ensuring democratic governance in the continent and the sub-region respectively. The paper concludes that the Nigerian state, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) need to take important steps in stabilizing the economy of member states towards promoting democratic governance in the state, sub region of West Africa and the African region. It therefore recommends certain implications for policy implementation.
Download or read book Challenges to Democratic Governance in Developing Countries written by Gedeon Mudacumura and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2014-01-04 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Despite the large amounts of human and financial resources invested to foster democratic governance in developing countries, statistics show that the majority of these countries have not yet achieved significant improvements in living standards. While some regions make strides towards improving the living conditions of their citizens, Sub-Saharan Africa, for instance, is still trapped in poverty with more than 40% of its 600 million people living below the internationally recognized absolute poverty line of one US dollar per day. Poor governance and corruption should be highlighted as the most important systemic factors contributing to poverty in developing countries. As a result the institutional foundations of these countries are weakened, public funds are misappropriated, and policies and programs aimed at reducing poverty and fostering sustainable economic growth are undermined. It is therefore not surprising that a 2008 Transparency International report found a direct link between corruption and the failure of the societal institutions designed to achieve the Millennium Development Goals in the majority of developing countries. This book investigates the problems of democratic governance, particularly as they relate to corruption, and also whether democracy should be based on universal principles or local context and historical factors. It also analyses the rule of law, in promoting democratic governance and curbing corruption and if governmental, non-governmental organizations, and civil societies are effective in promoting democratic governance and curbing corruption. This book will go beyond identifying the challenges and offer plausible solutions that could be adapted to various developing countries. It is premised on the importance of bridging theory and practice, which has been lacking in most local and international development publications, making of interest to scholars and policy-makers alike concerned with public administration in developing countries.
Download or read book Local Governance in Africa written by Dele Olowu and published by Lynne Rienner Publishers. This book was released on 2004 with total page 324 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An exploration of why some decentralization reforms have led to viable systems of local governance in Africa, while others have failed. It outlines the key issues involved, provides historical context, and identifies the factors that have encouraged or discouraged success.
Download or read book Governance and Democracy in Africa written by James S. Guseh and published by Rowman & Littlefield. This book was released on 2018-12-17 with total page 144 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The challenge facing African leaders is whether to completely adopt democratic institutions as its form of governance. The book examines Africa’s experience with this form of democratic governance since independence and its impact on economic performance.
Download or read book Democracy Good Governance and Development in Africa written by Mawere, Munyaradzi and published by Langaa RPCIG. This book was released on 2015-10-24 with total page 422 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Questions surrounding democracy, governance, and development especially in the view of Africa have provoked acrimonious debates in the past few years. It remains a perennial question why some decades after political independence in Africa the continent continues experiencing bad governance, lagging behind socioeconomically, and its democracy questionable. We admit that a plethora of theories and reasons, including iniquitous and malicious ones, have been conjured in an attempt to explain and answer the questions as to why Africa seems to be lagging behind other continents in issues pertaining to good governance, democracy and socio-economic development. Yet, none of the theories and reasons proffered so far seems to have provided enduring solutions to Africa’s diverse complex problems and predicaments. This book dissects and critically examines the matrix of Africa’s multifaceted problems on governance, democracy and development in an attempt to proffer enduring solutions to the continent’s long-standing political and socio-economic dilemmas and setbacks.
Download or read book Democratizing Public Governance in Developing Nations written by Shamsul M. Haque and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2017-07-14 with total page 293 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This edited volume brings together critical insights that address the multifaceted problems of governance and democracy in the developing regions with specific reference to Africa. It explores both the externally prescribed and home-grown governance initiatives geared toward democracy and development, and suggests alternative strategies to improve the processes and institutions of governance. The chapters in the book deal with major concerns related to governance, including the strengths and limits of existing policies and practices and the structure and role of state and non-state institutions in promoting democracy and participation. All these issues, in general, have great significance for realizing an authentic and enduring mode of democratic governance in the developing world.
Download or read book The Transition to Democratic Governance in Africa written by John Mukum Mbaku and published by Praeger. This book was released on 2003-04-30 with total page 480 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Table of contents
Download or read book Democratization of Africa and Its Impact on the Global Economy written by Tshishonga, Ndwakhulu and published by IGI Global. This book was released on 2024-01-16 with total page 517 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Democratization of Africa and Its Impact on the Global Economy delves into the intricate relationship between democracy, governance, and development in Africa, shedding light on the continent's progress and its implications for the global economy. From its historical context rooted in colonialism and apartheid regimes to the present-day challenges of weak governance and underdevelopment, this book critically examines the factors that have shaped Africa's political and socioeconomic landscape. This book offers a comprehensive exploration of democracy, governance, and development in Africa. It delves into various topics such as models of democracy, electoral systems, political leadership, state building, democratic deficits, political violence, corruption, and the challenges of democratic consolidation. Additionally, it examines the significance of democratic governance, good governance principles, civil society engagement, and political accountability in shaping Africa's political landscape. Through a multi-disciplinary lens encompassing political science, development studies, anthropology, sociology, international relations, and public administration, the book offers a platform for scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to engage in critical dialogue and propose innovative strategies for Africa's renewal.
Download or read book The Challenge of Drug Trafficking to Democratic Governance and Human Security in West Africa written by David Edward Brown and published by Army War College Press. This book was released on 2013 with total page 108 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: International criminal networks mainly from Latin America and Africa -- some with links to terrorism -- are turning West Africa into a key global hub for the distribution, wholesaling, and production of illicit drugs. These groups represent an existential threat to democratic governance of already fragile states in the sub-region because they are using narco-corruption to stage coups d'état, hijack elections, and co-opt or buy political power. Besides a spike in drug-related crime, narcotics trafficking is also fraying West Africa's traditional social fabric and creating a public health crisis, with hundreds of thousands of new drug addicts. While the inflow of drug money may seem economically beneficial to West Africa in the short-term, investors will be less inclined to do business in the long-term if the sub-region is unstable. On net, drug trafficking and other illicit trade represent the most serious challenge to human security in the region since resource conflicts rocked several West African countries in the early 1990s. International aid to West Africa's "war on drugs" is only in an initial stage; progress will be have to be measured in decades or even generations, not years and also unfold in parallel with creating alternative sustainable livelihoods and addressing the longer-term challenges of human insecurity, poverty, and underdevelopment.
Download or read book Socio political Scaffolding and the Construction of Change written by Kelechi Amihe Kalu and published by Africa Research and Publications. This book was released on 2009 with total page 426 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Democratization in Africa written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 1992-02-01 with total page 94 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The global movement toward democracy, spurred in part by the ending of the cold war, has created opportunities for democratization not only in Europe and the former Soviet Union, but also in Africa. This book is based on workshops held in Benin, Ethiopia, and Namibia to better understand the dynamics of contemporary democratic movements in Africa. Key issues in the democratization process range from its institutional and political requirements to specific problems such as ethnic conflict, corruption, and role of donors in promoting democracy. By focusing on the opinion and views of African intellectuals, academics, writers, and political activists and observers, the book provides a unique perspective regarding the dynamics and problems of democratization in Africa.
Download or read book Democracy in Africa written by Nic Cheeseman and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2015-05-12 with total page 269 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book provides the first comprehensive overview of the history of democracy in Africa and explains why the continent's democratic experiments have so often failed, as well as how they could succeed. Nic Cheeseman grapples with some of the most important questions facing Africa and democracy today, including whether international actors should try and promote democracy abroad, how to design political systems that manage ethnic diversity, and why democratic governments often make bad policy decisions. Beginning in the colonial period with the introduction of multi-party elections and ending in 2013 with the collapse of democracy in Mali and South Sudan, the book describes the rise of authoritarian states in the 1970s; the attempts of trade unions and some religious groups to check the abuse of power in the 1980s; the remarkable return of multiparty politics in the 1990s; and finally, the tragic tendency for elections to exacerbate corruption and violence.
Download or read book Challenges of Conflict Democracy and Development in Africa written by K. T. Matlosa and published by . This book was released on 2007 with total page 396 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Democratic Governance Law and Development in Africa written by Maame Efua Addadzi-Koom and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2022-12-10 with total page 723 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This volume analyses democratic governance, the rule of law and development in Africa. It is unique and timely. First, the theme and sub-themes were carefully selected to solicit quality chapters from academics, practitioners and graduate students on topical and contemporary issues in constitutional law, human rights, and democratic governance in Africa. The chapters were subjected to a single-blind peer review by experts and scholars in the relevant fields to ensure that high quality submissions are included. Due to the dearth of knowledge and studies on the chosen thematic areas, the publication will remain relevant after several years due to the timeless themes it covers. In this regard, this edited volume audits the progress of democratic consolidation, rule of law and development in Ghana with selected case studies from other African countries. This book is intended for higher education institutions (universities, institutes and centres), public libraries, general academics, practitioners and students of law, democracy, human rights and political science, especially those interested in African affairs.
Download or read book Good Governance written by James G. Lee and published by . This book was released on 2001 with total page 20 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This paper examines the broad U.S. National Security Objective of "Promoting Democracy" in the context of Sub-Saharan Africa. Forty-eight independent nations make up the region of Sub Saharan Africa. Within this region there are over 700 ethnic groups with almost as many different dialects. With this vast diversity in the region, "promoting democracy" faces a myriad of challenges. The U.S. National Security Strategy defines three classes of national interests: vital, important, and humanitarian. Using the definitions found in the NSS, it is unlikely that any U.S. interests in Sub-Saharan Africa would be considered "vital". While this "Cold War" paradigm of prioritizing interests was useful during the era of the U.S. and Soviet competition, the global challenges the U.S. faces in the 21st Century are much more diverse and dynamic. U.S. national interests would be better served if viewed within a broad strategic context in which regional instability is a threat to our security and national well-being. Within this framework, democracy and good governance in Sub-Saharan Africa emerge as a vital U.S. regional interest. While most Africans desire democratic government, the challenges to establishing and maintaining democracy in the Sub-Saharan region run deep. Tribal culture, regional conflicts, humanitarian crises, and the legacy of colonialism are all sources of instability presenting challenges to African democracy. Understanding these challenges is the first step toward framing an effective U.S. regional policy.
Download or read book Civil Society Good Governance and the Challenge of Regional Security in West Africa written by R. A. Akindele and published by . This book was released on 2003 with total page 406 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Governance Human Rights and Political Transformation in Africa written by Michael Addaney and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2019-11-19 with total page 433 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This edited volume examines the development and challenges of governance, democracy, and human rights in Africa. It analyzes the emerging challenges for strengthening good governance in the region and explores issues related to civil, political, economic, cultural, and social rights highlighting group rights including women, girls, and other minority groups. The project presents a useful study of the democratization processes and normative developments in Africa exploring challenges in the form of corruption, conflict, political violence, and their subsequent impact on populations. The contributors appraise the implementation gap between law and practice and the need for institutional reform to build strong and robust mechanisms at the domestic, regional, and international levels.
