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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:The Case for an Alternative System of Governance for Africa
Author:Ndue, Paul Ntungwe
Year:1998
Periodical:African Administrative Studies
Issue:51
Pages:11-21
Language:English
Geographic term:Africa
Subjects:political systems
decentralization
Politics and Government
Abstract:The colonial legacy, received notions of economic and political development, and international pressure explain the adoption of a centralized State strategy, characterized by a single or no party system of government, preoccupation with bureaucracy, and financial centralization, by virtually all African countries in the postindependence era. This strategy has since shown its limits in Africa, and throughout the world. However, beyond the democratic renewal in motion in Africa since 1990 lie matters of constitutional choice which transcend multiparty elections or the replacement of one group by another in government. Without solving the governance problem it is doubtful if the challenges of economic growth and development can be fully met. The author argues that local self-governance and people's participation constitute preconditions for peace, security and economic growth. He suggests an alternative paradigm for the organization of political authority, a self-governing polycentric authority model which recognizes the reality of the existence of a variety of institutions and draws on Africa's own historical and contemporary experiences of institution-building. South Africa's new 1996 constitution provides for decentralization and is an example worthy of emulation. Bibliogr.
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