Democratization

  • Progress and Retreat in Africa: Legislatures on the Rise?

    Senegalese parliamentBy Joel Barkan.  Journal of Democracy, 2008. Legislatures in Africa are becoming more assertive and securing a more equal distribution of political and decision-making power within the continent's young multi-party democracies.  Notable improvements have been achieved in Kenya and Ghana and reveal 10 parameters that determine the balance of authority between branches of government. [PDF]

  • The Implementation of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance

    africa-democracyBy Ibrahima Kane. African Security Review, December 2008.  The African Union adopted the landmark African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance in 2007. While implementation still lags behind the principles outlined for holding elections, building state institutions, creating a democratic culture, and preventing unconstitutional changes of government, the Charter establishes an important normative and institutional framework for Africa’s still nascent democratic systems. [PDF]

  • Benin’s Ongoing Struggle for Democracy

      Ongoing Struggle for Democracy. By Mathurin Houngnikpo. West Africa Review, 2007 Genuine democratization requires far more than a series of free and fair elections but also the establishment of many institutions and procedures such as independent and effective legislative, judicial, and investigative bodies within a state. Benin’s major democratic institutions are improving their effectiveness, but recent maneuvers demonstrate how “spoils politics” can disrupt positive democratic trends.   HTML

  • Why Democracy is Central to Prosperity and Peace

    Why Democracy is Central to Prosperity and Peace. By Joseph Siegle. Konrad Adenauer Foundation, 2006. Good summary of the rationale for why democracies of all income levels tend to realize superior economic growth, development, and security. [PDF]

  • Reviewing democracy and human security in Africa

    Reviewing democracy and human security in Africa. By Anne Hammerstad. Institute for Security Studies, 2004. A well-researched, well-written book about critical aspects of democratic reforms like the mechanics of voter registration systems, the distinction between inclusive and exclusive political systems, the peer-review initiatives of NEPAD, and the complex dynamics of term limit laws. [PDF]

  • Democracy and Security in Africa: Towards a Framework of Understanding

    Democracy and Security in Africa: Towards a Framework of Understanding. By Sola Akinrinade. Journal of Contemporary African Studies, 1999. Good piece that thougtfully links, democracy, security, and development in Africa.