IMPACT OF DEMOCRACTIC GOVERNANCE ON AFRICA`S DEVELOPMENT BY OTACHI ORINA [JACOB (original) (raw)

Government and the process of governance in Africa

2012

Democracy and good governance are two concepts that are often perceived as closely interlinked. This paper uses different examples from Africa to show that these ideas are, in fact, not only different, but are endowed with dimensions which also allow them to exist independent from one another. To do so the paper defines and examines the interrelation between democracy, government and governance and analyses the failures in African political systems based on deficiencies in these interrelations. It concludes that these deficiencies can be overcome by both the right kind of democratic constitution and political arrangement that would safeguard constitutionalism, as well as a good leadership for the people and not for the leaders. Furthermore, this paper argues that even though good governance and democracy are far from being synonymous, they are necessary for any successful political system aiming to establish and promote economic and socio-political development in Africa. Even though democracy is not equal to good governance and a country could be well governed without a democratically elected leader, democracy is a key factor to hold governments accountable.

Critical Issues Affecting Africa’s Development: EGovernment, Democracy and Democratic Principles, And Governance as an Alternative for SocioEconomic Development in Africa

International Journal of Youth Economy, 2017

In search for answers to what is wrong and where to locate what is wrong with Africa's development, this research attempts to explore critical governance issues affecting the development of Africa. This paper argues that the achievability of Africa's development depends to a larger extend on its political development. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to critically explore and evaluate Africa's developmental challenges such as bribery and corruption, bad governance, weak political institutions, and undemocratic values. These huddles are serious, real and many but could be meet through improvement and strengthening of governance and democracy. The importance of this research cannot be over emphasized as the result could be beneficial to both policy makers and scholars alike as to ascertain the problems and policy recommendations to avert the evils that befell on the continent. A total of 150 questionnaires was drawn where respondent (bureaucrats, masters and PhD students in related fields) were asked on Africa's development challenges. The finding shows that Africa's main development challenges were not only corruption, governance, and leadership, but weak institutions to uphold political accountability. Some African countries did well with regards to governance and combating corruption, however a major institutional reform is needed to achieve sustainable development.

Politics, Governance and Development in Africa

2013

This book Politics, Governance and Development in Africa is fascinating in many ways. It is based on African case studies. Many of the case studies are recent. It is based on field research and many of contributors are experienced research and scholars from across the globe. Many development partners are increasingly calling for good politics, guided by democratic principles. Countries which have good and smooth transition in Africa such as Botswana, Ghana, South Africa and Zambia also tend to make great strides in development. Good governance is obtained under efficient, accountable and transparent structures and institutions. Readers will be fascinated with this book Politics, Governance and Development in Africa because it covers new ground in the understanding of politics and governance dynamics and how they affect development in Africa. There is a recent realization that many of the development challenges in Africa would be a thing of the past if politics were managed properly. On the other hand, we need proper governance structures and institutions in order to manage public affairs efficiently and in more transparent and accountable manner. The arguments advanced in this book is that Africa needs good, positive and development politics and not grandstanding and antagonistic politics played out along ethnic or religious lines. What is missing in many studies is the linkage between politics and governance, which this books has done through myriad of articles presented here. Readers will be excited to read about examples from many parts of the world, with a call for fair politics and good structures and institutions of governance. This book is a useful addition to knowledge on politics and governance in Africa and is useful for all libraries where learners are studying Africa, and for all students and scholars who study Africa. It is relevant for humanities, arts and social sciences.

Democracy and Development in Africa: Contending Issues and Prospects for the 21st Centuries

Jurnal Penegakan Hukum dan Keadilan

The study examines contentious issues related to democracy and development in Africa. Substantially relying on secondary sources of data collection to adequately reflect the issues involved in this study, an interdisciplinary approach to historical research was adopted using content analysis. The study discovered empirical evidence supporting the argument that leadership changes are frequent or uncommon. In both situations, these leaders choose to govern in countries with weak or non-existent institutions, allowing them to avoid accountability for their corrupt behavior and abuse of office. According to the study, some challenges that have slowed development are lack of accountability, transparency, and democratic government, which must be addressed realistically for progress. Making the African system run more effectively and efficiently depends on the characteristics and eccentricities of those in authority.

Democracy and Challenge of Good Governance in Africa

2020

The paper discusses the challenges of democratization in Africa. It considers the idea of democracy as a universal one, rather than an exclusive preserve of the West. However, it regards the attempt to foist the western liberal type of democracy on Africa as an ideological factor in contemporary African cultural dislocation by the West. It attributes the failure of this democracy in Africa, as manifested in the rampant political instability and bad governance, to the system’s neglect of the cultural roots of the African people. It calls for the revival and creative exploitation of valuable assets from the indigenous African democratic culture for the construction of authentic paradigm of democracy relevant to the conditions of Africa in the contemporary world. The paper concludes with the caveat that democracy in Africa may not succeed until such cultural adaptation is done.

Democratization, Good Governance and Development in Africa: The Nigerian Experience

2007

This article is a contribution to the debate on democratization, good governance and development in Africa. It examines the nexus among the 'embattled trinity,' using a contextual analysis of the Nigerian experience under the fourth republic; but within a broader framework of African democratization hurdles. It argues that whereas democratization, defined as the process of transition to a stable/consolidated democracy, could be a harbinger of development, with good governance as the link in the chain; much of it would however depend on its time-spell, depth and the context within which it is pursued. It is argued that the present state of democratization in Africa gives cause for concern, as it tends towards the direction of disempowerment. Issues such as democracy dividends; the travails of presidentialism; ethno-religious conflicts were critically examined, leading us to the basic question of whether Africa (Nigeria) has really democratized. While democratization has been on course, it has not taken a firm root, because it has so far been pursued and predicated on alien institutions. Given this scenario, the paper argues for an urgent need for a reversal of the trend, if democratization must be genuinely nurtured and sustained in Africa. In the circumstance, we consider social mobilization in all its ramifications as a highly useful and pivotal option.