Elites and the Politics of Accountability in Africa

Elites and the Politics of Accountability in Africa explores how accountability provides a valuable interpretive framework for understanding the social, cultural, and institutional struggles of elites and ordinary citizens in Africa. The book examines power, public deliberation, and negotiation in African societies and discusses issues of political subjectivity, agency, and representation. It analyzes how concerns about transparency, collective responsibility, community, and public decision-making processes are embedded in broader cultural, social, and institutional discussions. The book contextualizes elite accountability in relation to African political practices and offers fresh and diverse accounts of elites and their practices of accountability and self-legitimation.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 408 pages
Publication date: 24 May 2021
Publisher: The University of Michigan Press

Elites and the Politics of Accountability in Africa delves into the intricate dynamics between elites and ordinary citizens in Africa, shedding light on the ways in which accountability serves as a powerful interpretive lens. Through a comprehensive exploration of power, public deliberation, and negotiation, the book examines the challenges and struggles faced by both elites and the broader population. It engages in thought-provoking conversations about political subjectivity, agency, and identity, particularly in the context of ongoing debates surrounding identities, belonging, representation, and legitimacy.

Who has the authority to speak on behalf of others, and to what end? These questions lie at the heart of the contributions to this volume, as the authors offer meticulous analyses of how concerns related to transparency, collective responsibility, community, and public decision-making processes intertwine with broader cultural, social, and institutional discussions. These discussions have profound implications for democratic oversight, as well as issues of alienation, exclusivity, privilege, and democratic deficit.

By contextualizing elite accountability within the broader landscape of political practices in Africa, the book provides a fresh and insightful perspective on the complex interplay between elites and society. It juxtaposes this contextualization with the practices of African elites, offering a nuanced understanding of their self-legitimation strategies and the outcomes of their negotiations and compromises.

Elites and the Politics of Accountability in Africa presents a rich tapestry of accounts that offer a dynamic and multifaceted portrayal of elites and their practices of accountability. These accounts not only shed light on the complexities of contemporary African elites but also provide valuable insights into the socially and historically situated outcomes of contingency, composition, negotiation, and compromise. Through its comprehensive approach, the book contributes to our understanding of the dynamics and complexities of elite power and governance in Africa.

Weight: 604g
Dimension: 153 x 228 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780472054817