Synopses & Reviews
Does Western-style democracy make sense in the various geographic, economic, and social settings of the continent? How far toward democracy have recent liberalization movements gone? In The Fate of Africa's Democratic Experiments, Leonardo A. Villalón, Peter VonDoepp, and an international group of contributors consider the aftermath, success, failure, and future of the wave of democracy that swept Africa in the early 1990s. In some countries, democratic movements flourished, while in others, democratic success was more circumscribed. This detailed analysis of key political events in countries at the forefront of democratic change--Benin, Central African Republic, Congo, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, and Zambia--provides for broadly representative continental and linguistic coverage of directions and prospects for Africa's democracies.
The contributors are Michael Chege, John F. Clark, Joshua B. Forrest, Abdourahmane Idrissa, Bruce Magnusson, Carrie Manning, Richard R. Marcus, Andreas Mehler, David J. Simon, Leonardo A. Villalón, and Peter VonDoepp.
Review
"... [a] stimulating collection." --African Studies Review Indiana University Press Indiana University Press Indiana University Press
About the Author
Leonardo A. Villalón is Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the African Studies Center at the University of Florida.
Peter VonDoepp is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of North Texas.
Table of Contents
Contents<\>Preface
1. Elites, Institutions, and the Varied Trajectories of Africa's Third Wave Democracies Peter VonDoepp and Leonardo A. Villalón
2. Repetitive Breakdowns and a Decade of Experimentation: Institutional Choices and Unstable Democracy in Niger Leonardo A. Villalón and Abdourahmane Idrissa
3. The Tribulations of a Successful Transition: Institutional Dynamics and Elite Rivalry in Mali Leonardo A. Villalón and Abdourahmane Idrissa
4. Democratic Legitimacy in Benin: Institutions and Identity in a Regional Context Bruce A. Magnusson
5. The Collapse of the Democratic Experiment in the Republic of Congo: A Thick Description John F. Clark
6. The Shaky Foundations, Adverse Circumstances, and Limited Achievements of Democratic Transition in the Central African Republic Andreas Mehler
7. The Fate of Madagascar's Democracy: Following the Rules while Eroding the Substance Richard R. Marcus
8. Institutions, Resources, and Elite Strategies: Making Sense of Malawi's Democratic Trajectory Peter VonDoepp
9. Democracy Unrealized: Zambia's Third Republic under Frederick Chiluba David J. Simon
10. Assessing Adaptation to Democratic Politics in Mozambique: The Case of Frelimo Carrie Manning
11. Democratization in a Divided Urban Political Culture: Guinea-Bissau Joshua B. Forrest
12. Democratic Governance in Africa at the Start of the Twenty-first Century: Lessons of Experience Michael Chege
References
List of Contributors
Index