Africa beyond Liberal Democracy: In Search of Context-Relevant Models of Democracy for the Twenty-First Century

Africa beyond Liberal Democracy explores alternative models of democracy for the continent, challenging the notion that liberal democracy is the only viable option. It examines the failure of liberal democracy in Africa and proposes context-relevant models that align with African communalist societies. The book features contributions from African and Africanist scholars from various disciplines and countries.

Format: Hardback
Length: 298 pages
Publication date: 03 July 2022
Publisher: Lexington Books

Africa Beyond Liberal Democracy: In Search of Context-Relevant Models of Democracy for the Twenty-First Century is a 2023 Choice Reviews Outstanding Academic Title that explores the future trajectories of democratization on the continent. Despite many countries in Africa initially adopting liberal democratic constitutions after political independence in the late 1950s and early 1960s, these were often dismantled by civilian regimes or military coups that established one-party autocracies or disregarded the constitutions altogether. In the 1990s, there was an attempt to revert to competitive multi-party politics through the so-called second-generation constitutions, but these efforts have also been undermined by civilian autocracies and military juntas. The book, edited by Reginald M. J. Oduor, brings together African and Africanist scholars who argue that what has failed in Africa is liberal democracy rather than democracy as such, as liberal democracy emerged in a Western individualist socio-political context that differs significantly from the communalist milieu of African societies. The contributors, representing various disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, are based in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana, India, Sweden, and Finland, and offer diverse perspectives on potential models of democracy in Africa for the twenty-first century.

Weight: 604g
Dimension: 236 x 159 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666913811