Constitutionalism and the Economy in Africa

Africa remains the continent with the highest level of poverty in the world, despite expectations that the second wave of constitutional democracy in the 1990s would facilitate economic development. This volume addresses five questions about the relationship between constitutionalism and economic growth in Africa, including whether constitutions reflected the shift towards a market economy, how land and other natural resources are dealt with constitutionally, the state's relationship to the market economy, the impact of globalization, and the symbiotic relationship between constitutionalism and economic growth.

Format: Hardback
Length: 464 pages
Publication date: 11 November 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Despite the hopes that the renowned second wave of constitutional democracy in the 1990s would promote economic development, Africa continues to hold the unfortunate distinction of having the highest poverty rates worldwide. The eradication of poverty relies on a thriving economy that generates employment and income by generating sufficient revenue to enable the state to implement pro-development policies. However, contrary to the anticipated economic benefits resulting from the constitutional reforms of the past three decades, including the establishment of a market economy, African economies remain weak, a situation exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. By examining the interplay between constitutionalism and economic growth in Africa, this volume addresses five critical questions: (1) Did the constitutional reforms of the 1990s and subsequent periods reflect a shift towards a market economy, and if so, in what ways? (2) Given that agriculture and extractive industries are the primary sources of state revenue in many African economies, how are issues of land and other natural resources addressed constitutionally? (3) When a market economy is enshrined in a constitution, what is the state's relationship to that economy: interventionist or laissez-faire, or somewhere in between? (4) In the process of constitution-making and implementation concerning the economy, what impact has globalization had on constitutionalism and economic growth in Africa? (5) Finally, how has the relationship between constitutionalism and economic growth played out in practice? Is there a symbiotic relationship? Has constitutionalism fostered (or may lead to) greater economic prosperity?

Weight: 956g
Dimension: 254 x 179 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192886439