GOVERNANCE IN AFRICA Africa in mid century was a largely colonized continent by the British, Belgians, French, and other European nations
AFTER INDEPENDENCE After independence two distinct political
movements occurred in these nations
1. one party authoritarian governments
Or
2. “African Socialism”
NEXT STEP FOR AFRICA For many of these nations the next step
was the movement to military regimes as this was the most prominent way to destroy an authoritarian regime
DOES THE FUTURE HAVE DEMOCRACY IN IT? BY 1989 only 5 African nations could be
considered democratic: Botswana, Gambia, Senegal, Mauritius, and Zimbabwe
This began to change rapidly in the 1990s as political liberalization became common
By 1995, multiparty elections were held in 38 African nations.
Pressure to reform came from OAU, EU, IMF, World Bank
MAPS https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedo
m-world/freedom-world-2015#.VOdKjubF91Z
https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/01152015_FIW_2015_final.pdf
https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world-2015/africas-gains-and-declines#.VOdLBubF91Y
OBSTACLES TO FUTURE DEMOCRATIC REFORMS Civil War- will disrupt the ability to
exercise free democratic principles HIV- takes away young voters and
candidates Poverty- breeds radicalism and
desperation Economic limitations- fighting over
limited resources serves as a catalyst for radical actions to gain control over them
Lack of infrastructure- nations have an inability to simply run an election without accusations of corruption
NEWS http://
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20465752
http://www.economist.com/node/21551494
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/27/world/africa/africas-steady-steps-toward-democracy.html