Democracy

Question 1

What 3 topics (excluding case studies) need to be covered in democracy?

Answer 1

Background and theory
Internal/external pressures
Democratic consolidation
(Case studies)

Question 2

What are the theoretical issues of democracy?

Answer 2

Western understandings

Process of democratisation (structural/preconditions and action-oriented [mass action/elite consensus])

Question 3

What are the main democratising pressures?

Answer 3

Post-Cold war lack of external alternative
Superficial multiparties (neopatrimonialism)
Legitimacy and access to donors
Pressure from below (failed one-parties and civil society)

Question 4

Does democracy appear to be consolidating?

Answer 4

Many states on their 6th/7th election

BUT democracies appear to lack mechanisms for challenging the government

Question 5

What 2 further topics need to be discussed in terms of democratic consolidation?

Answer 5

Political parties: weak, incoherent, little definition or accountability
Forms of democracy: Presidential or federal (rare)

Question 6

What are the critiques of democracy in Africa?

Answer 6

Main critique: predatory elites and neopatrimonialism

Radical critique: democracy will fail without development and nation building

Question 7

What are the 5 stages of democratic consolidation in Africa?

Answer 7

(1) Established democracies (including elite internalisations of democratic norms)
(2) Liberation regimes practicing electoral minimalism (legitimate democratic government but unlikely to concede power)
(3) Electoral minimalism with manipulation/rigging
(4) Vocal pro-democracy discourse but contested constitutional frameworks
(5) Democracy incredibly fragile due to tenuous social tensions

Question 8

Give one case study/example for each stage of democratic consolidation:

(1) Established democracies
(2) Liberation regimes practicing electoral minimalism
(3) Electoral minimalism with manipulation/rigging
(4) Pro-democracy but contested constitution
(5) Fragile democracy due to tenuous social tensions

Answer 8

(1) Ghana, Botswana, Zambia, Senegal
(2) Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa
(3) Republic of Congo, DCR, Cameroon, Uganda
(4) Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Côte d’Ivoire
(5) Somalia, South Sudan, Burundi