Democratisation and Diffusion in Africa
Democratisation is often portrayed as a positive step in developing countries, but its record of success has been mixed. In fact, it has been argued that democratisation stifles development. The premise behind this argument is that democracy can only be implemented in highly developed countries with high levels of literacy, a middle class, and relative social equality. Moreover, democratisation promotes reforms that impede radical transformation. Leftwich and Johnson both say that democratisation inevitably induces instability and chaos. Empirical studies also indicate that democracy increases political violence below a certain income level.
In the case of democratisation, the first step towards achieving greater political stability is establishing democratic institutions. One of the most important decisions in establishing such institutions is the allocation of political power. Autocratic regimes tend to concentrate power in a single actor, while democracies allocate it among a wide range of government institutions. The decision regarding the distribution of legislative and executive power is particularly critical during democratisation. This decision must be made by political elites.
Several studies have argued that democracy is a product of diffusion. Interestingly, it has occurred in spatial and temporal clusters, with several countries in the same region going through democratic transitions. These examples have prompted a search for an explanation of why these instances occurred. Although some early studies treated these instances as neighbourhood effects, recent work has emphasized global diffusion. More countries have a democratic regime, and the probability of establishing one is greater.
Africa is a region with relatively high democratic standards. Many of the countries in Africa are governed by constitutionally-enacted constitutions. Some have a hybrid political system that combines presidentialism, ethnic voting, and exclusionary politics of belonging. Despite the mixed history of democratisation, the African continent is showing signs of increasing freedom and stability. Most transitions, however, are from below, with governing elites motivated by personal survival rather than pursuing the greater good.
A major contribution of this study is the fact that the process of democratisation affects the choice of government system and the diffusion of democratic institutions. Previous studies have shown that diffusion of democratic government systems is affected by various contextual conditions, such as modernisation, historical legacy, and international institutions. There are also geographical and period influences, which are associated with the adoption of democratic government systems. These results are crucial for understanding the diffusion of democratic government systems and how the spread of these systems occurs.
During the 1990s, the spread of democratic principles in Africa began to grow and deepen. In the meantime, the army launched three mutinies against the government of Patasse, and interethnic tension increased. And finally, the country was subject to a failed coup in 2001. The period before democratisation began to end in chaos and disunity. However, the process of democratisation was not without challenges. A new constitution was necessary to create a stable political climate for a vibrant democracy.
Democratisation is often portrayed as a positive step in developing countries, but its record of success has been mixed. In fact, it has been argued that democratisation stifles development. The premise behind this argument is that democracy can only be implemented in highly developed countries with high levels of literacy, a middle class, and relative social equality. Moreover, democratisation promotes reforms that impede radical transformation. Leftwich and Johnson both say that democratisation inevitably induces instability and chaos. Empirical studies also indicate that democracy increases political violence below a certain income level. In the case of democratisation, the first step towards achieving greater political stability is establishing democratic institutions. One of the most important decisions in establishing such institutions is the allocation of political power. Autocratic regimes tend to concentrate power in a single actor, while democracies allocate it among a wide range of government institutions. The decision regarding the distribution of legislative and executive power is particularly critical during democratisation. This decision must be made by political elites. Several studies have argued that democracy is a product of diffusion. Interestingly, it has occurred in spatial and temporal clusters, with several countries in the same region going through democratic transitions. These examples have prompted a search for an explanation of why these instances occurred. Although some early studies treated these instances as neighbourhood effects, recent work has emphasized global diffusion. More countries have a democratic regime, and the probability of establishing one is greater. Africa is a region with relatively high democratic standards. Many of the countries in Africa are governed by constitutionally-enacted constitutions. Some have a hybrid political system that combines presidentialism, ethnic voting, and exclusionary politics of belonging. Despite the mixed history of democratisation, the African continent is showing signs of increasing freedom and stability. Most transitions, however, are from below, with governing elites motivated by personal survival rather than pursuing the greater good. A major contribution of this study is the fact that the process of democratisation affects the choice of government system and the diffusion of democratic institutions. Previous studies have shown that diffusion of democratic government systems is affected by various contextual conditions, such as modernisation, historical legacy, and international institutions. There are also geographical and period influences, which are associated with the adoption of democratic government systems. These results are crucial for understanding the diffusion of democratic government systems and how the spread of these systems occurs. During the 1990s, the spread of democratic principles in Africa began to grow and deepen. In the meantime, the army launched three mutinies against the government of Patasse, and interethnic tension increased. And finally, the country was subject to a failed coup in 2001. The period before democratisation began to end in chaos and disunity. However, the process of democratisation was not without challenges. A new constitution was necessary to create a stable political climate for a vibrant democracy.