Democracy and Multi-Party Politics in Africa

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Periodical article

Title:	Democracy and Multi-Party Politics in Africa
Author:	Makinda, Samuel M.
Year:	1996
Periodical:	Journal of Modern African Studies
Volume:	34
Issue:	4
Period:	December
Pages:	555-573
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Africa
Subjects:	democracy multiparty systems Politics and Government
External link:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/161588
Abstract:	Authoritarian leaders and single-party regimes of all shades increasingly came under great pressures between 1990 and 1993 to liberalize and permit more participation in the political process. This transformation stemmed from sustained efforts by domestic political forces in African States, albeit assisted by a variety of requirements demanded by international financial institutions and industrialized countries. Most attempts to introduce Western-style democracy have created problems for both leaders and voters. The major impediments to multiparty democracy in Africa include the inappropriateness of certain Western ideas and practices, the inexperience of leaders running multiparty systems, and the general political, economic and social conditions. This article illustrates these issues by analysing the pitfalls of, and prospects for liberal democracy in Angola, Kenya and Rwanda. Ref.