Africa’s emerging governance regime since the end of cold war
After decades of static autocratic dominant, Africa shifted its way to another form of government since the end of cold war. Liberalization took place in 1989 where there were only 3 countries including South Africa, Ghana, Mali and Senegal have joined. After about twenty years only then additional 30 countries have joined. People in this region have never believed that the government stands and upsurge in the number of society could give them as much freedom and opportunities in their chosen political position. Their democratic forms of government remains strong even they belong to a third world country.
Africa’s rich political history goes way back in time of Autocratic government era. Africa has an autocratic form of government that is ruled by autocratic practices. But because growing changes in economy diverse in government transform at least half of African country into democratic types of government variation took place and liberalization soar. Freedom of the press has tends to enjoy choices of people in changing their political preferences among nations. Effective engagement in international trade opened up a whole new world of opportunity. Peace and investment has become the conventional scenery for progress. Shared culture and education took place, openness among nation bring forth additional opportunities among people.
Finally at the end of cold war, they created a more disciplined and a more hospitable environment for democrat’s believers. Its effect is contagious and highly accepted.
The end of the cold war has turned Africa into a period of unprecedented democratic expansion in Africa. Since the monopoly ruling power of decades has past. The convergence of exchange of ideas in other neighboring countries shifted to democratic advances, however the implication of far reach economic progress and stability is still out of reach. Though freedom is on their way reaching the dream of progress takes time and experience. Since democracy is not an instance change but a long term process.
Democrat Practitioners says that this reform breaks the following into four stages. First is the opening where competing perspective on how the ruling party should be governed and come into public view. Second is the breakthrough stage where freedom of speech, ruling-party sectors may come and multi-party election becomes a norm. Third, transitions may come from 10 to 15 years. Fourth is the and last is the consolidation where all phases of democracy will be accepted in by people and all major political actors.
At this staged only the leaders who are transparent victorious winner in the election process will be the one to legitimately govern. And at this stage peaceful and meaningful transfer of power is at stake.
Categorization of African Political Regimes as of 2007:
- Autocracies: Cameroon, chad, Equitorial guinea, Erithrea,Gabon, Guinea, Somalia, Sudan, Swaziland, Zimbabwe
- Semi-Authoriatarians – Angola, Burkian Faso, Central African Republic, Congo, Coe de Ivoire, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea Bisau, Rwanda, Zambia
- Democratizers – Burundi, Comoros, Dem republic of Congo, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia
- Consolidating Democrats – Benin, Botswana, Cape Verde, Ghana, Lesoto, Mali, Mauritius, Namibia, Sao Tome & Princepe, Senegal and South Africa.
Record show that the steady growth in economy of democrats has been translated into improved living condition for most of their citizens. Death rate has declined by 13 percent and growth of democrats shows 5 times more stable than of Autocrats. This pattern show same results in other countries. Civil conflicts notably show as high as 60 percent decline which results in less famine and less refugee crises. While the vast majority in autocratic government likes Chad, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Angola have shown little improvement in their standard of living.
Some problem arise with the Neo Patrimonial who opposed the democrats they are the non conformist that have a negative belief that this so cold democrats will have done no good to the country. The result is just a complex in stand and not much ideal have been resolve. However democrats show a better job in creating such institution than as of Neo Patrimonial and other government system. Their characteristic goes a long way in policy debate.
International support and alliance between countries in providing aid took place. The European Union which offers exceeds more than 1 Billion dollars for democracy promotion and activities. The United States provide at least 850 million dollars in democracy aid annually. And many other international agencies have provided their supported for democracy. Their support shall provide and strengthen the democrats. Although studies of mixed impact show that politics has yet flourished economic growth, the support coming from the first world country still existed.
Democratization in Africa also shows that external influence matter and some people do question is the reason why the super power government has provided aid. Somehow the democratic aid has formed a dispute. Some have made a stand that super power nation simply undermine its worth but to form an alliance among nation in case of war. This dispute created implication for aid. And what is it all about? While helpful and in some instance indispensable this assistance will not ensure political progress. With this in mind the following recommendation are offered to show improvement in giving aid to Africa: They will have to differentiate funding base on democratic commitment, Strengthen mechanism of shared power, Create incentives for ongoing economic reforms, Raise regional economic standard. And recognize the oil curse. Thereby Africa show dramatic changes in the past decade yet still the democratic position remain in question since more than half of its nation remain in a different position and would still not believe in democrats most of these government still resist these position of changes. And for aid provider their contributing factor should be clear.
The end of cold war open up a whole new world in this continent although success or failure of democratic reform is in the hand of the people, nevertheless the starting points of Africa’s democratic experiences has come their way.
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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