Teaching Comparative

Democratization in Africa

You know I can't read everything. I have my habitual sources of information and I count on you to point me toward other good stuff. You can also "join" the blog and post things yourself. Just ask and I'll make it so.

Michael Harvey, back home in Abu Dhabi after some time and an AP workshop in the states, pointed me toward an article on Boston.com's web site. Edward Harris, an AP (that's Associated Press, in this case) writer offers an introduction to the state of politics in Africa and some long term effects of imperialism. It's just an introduction, but like good introductions it could direct you or your students toward more complete information.

Africa still struggles for democracy

"KINSHASA, Congo --Whether a new peace or more violence lies ahead for Congo, its people have embraced the chance to join fellow Africans who are increasingly finding their voices through the ballot box.

"The vote Sunday in Congo, a massive country in the center of Africa that's been ruined by war, typifies the continent's postcolonial struggles -- and its hopes that legitimate governments will at last act on their citizens' behalf.

"African countries once torn apart by strife and injustice have now held multiparty elections, and voters say the advance of democratic rule won't be turned back, though analysts say that voting alone does not equal democracy and is not a panacea for what ails the continent...

"With shifting global priorities, Western leaders and donors began valuing good governance over simple internal stability. The collapse of the Soviet Union destroyed a source of funding for African leaders who had, sometimes cynically, embraced communism. Now, the continent-wide African Union has declared it will bar from its ranks leaders who took power unconstitutionally.

"Most of sub-Saharan Africa's people have voted -- and not just in government-sponsored referenda where ruling leaders gain 99 percent of the vote...

"But freer political space has not ended problems for Africa.

"Apartheid in South Africa crumbled after Nelson Mandela's electoral victory in 1994, but crime, AIDS and poverty remain. Some 10,000 Nigerians have died in ethnic and religious strife since that country's 2000 vote ended heavy-handed military rule.

"Despite advances under elected President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria is still considered among the world's most corrupt nations...

"'Elections don't equal democracy,' says David S. Pottie, an assistant director of the Carter Center, which was founded by former President Carter and often monitors overseas elections.

"Voting can provide ways to make and implement decisions that affect large numbers of people, but 'what's more important in unleashing democracy and development is to create structures, mindsets and practices that involve the people,' says Pottie, who focuses on democracy projects."

posted by Ken Wedding @ 9:10 AM