A missing link? Elite factionalism and democratization in Africa

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Periodical article

Title:	A missing link? Elite factionalism and democratization in Africa
Author:	Morency-Laflamme, Julien
Year:	2015
Periodical:	Canadian Journal of African Studies (ISSN 0008-3968)
Volume:	49
Issue:	3
Pages:	459-477
Language:	English
Geographic terms:	Subsaharan Africa Benin South Africa Togo
Subjects:	elite authoritarianism democratization
External link:	https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00083968.2015.1100544
Abstract:	This article integrates the dynamics within authoritarian elites into analysis of democratization in Sub-Saharan Africa. This variable has been excluded from nearly all analysis on the subject. Based on a comparison of three cases, this article concludes that only in cases where popular mobilization was accompanied by deep divisions within the ruling coalition did democratization ensue. The division of the authoritarian coalition in Benin and South Africa created a window of opportunity which enabled pro-democracy forces to push through democratic reforms. Furthermore, only when a majority of the authoritarian elite in South Africa favoured negotiations with the African National Congress and other anti-apartheid political organizations did the transition towards democracy in South Africa make any progress. In contrast, in the Togolese case, a united ruling coalition precluded any reform that would have challenged its political hegemony. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract]