7- Democracy in Africa
Corresponding Author(s) : Roger Southall
Africa Review of Books,
Vol. 1 No. 1 (2004): Africa Review of Books, Volume 1, n° 1, 2004
Abstract
The Liberal Model and Africa:
Elites against Democracy
by Kenneth Good
Palgrave, 2002, 256 pp., ISBN
0333717082
The 1990s, so we are widely told, ushered in a ‘second liberation’ in Africa. The Berlin Wall collapsed, the Cold War ended, dictatorships fell or liberalized, and military governments gave way to civilian. The African populace rose in protest against domestic oppressions and demanded and often seized back the liberties they were promised but denied at independence. Multi-party elections now became fashionable and well-meaning election monitors swarmed all over the continent passing judgement on whether contests were ‘free and fair’. African populations breathed more freely and ostensibly or substantively lived in less fear. They were now set up to enjoy the fruits of ‘good governance’. Democracy was enabled to enjoy a belated triumph.