The presence of fringe presidential contenders is a marker of maturing democracies.
Academic rigour, journalistic flair
Articles on Democracy in Africa
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Lesotho has done a good job of curbing the powers of its monarch and making its electoral system inclusive.
The whole idea behind independent candidates is the hope that their inclusion might improve the accountability of parliamentarians to the voters. The bill doesn’t do that.
In principle, political debates should showcase an aspiring leader’s vision. It’s a lofty goal given their current format in Kenya.
The MPLA is using all instruments at its disposal to hobble a new united opposition front ahead of the Angola election.
Kiir and Machar have been pivotal figures in most of South Sudan’s short history as an independent nation.
South Africans are increasingly dissatisfied with democracy because of its failure to address inequality.
Most citizens feel that it is pointless to vote because it won’t change anything.
Leaders typically spread power among their ‘rival allies’ to keep it and co-opt enough of those elites in exchange for political support.
Study shows that Mozambique 1992 peace agreement was never the success it was claimed to be. The country’s democracy remains weak.
The deteriorating situation prompted regional leaders to intervene in a bid to restore peace and stability.
Turnout was low. But not equally so across the board. Patterns show it was not a statement by all voters – it was a message from ANC supporters.
The 2021 election will define for citizens important aspects of South Africa’s political future. What is the governing ANC’s future, and what was the impact of President Ramaphosa on this election?
The rise in political parties and the explosion in the number of independents means that it’s no longer simply a race among the three major parties.
President Tshisekedi’s government no longer has the excuse that it’s being hampered by the dead hand of his predecessor Joseph Kabila’s cabal.
Bouteflica’s two decades in power were the most damaging Algeria had experienced since independence from France in 1962.
The optimism Angolan president João Lourenço’s election generated four years ago has dwindled as electoral promise after another have failed to materialise.
The extent of democracy capture varies markedly between countries. It’s much higher in states such as Zimbabwe, where the government has never changed hands.
A monarch with absolute powers is just as dangerous as self-serving politicians in a democracy.
Whatever its flaws, it doesn’t mean the government action plan should be ignored or opposed. Rather, more needs to be done to achieve its goals.
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Professor of Democracy, University of Birmingham
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Extraordinary Professor, Department of Political Sciences, University of Pretoria
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Associate Professor of International Studies, University of Nottingham
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Fellow, Clare Hall, University of Cambridge; Professor of Development Studies, University of Johannesburg
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Professor of Sociology, University of the Witwatersrand
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Professor of Political Studies, University of Johannesburg
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Lecturer in African History, Queen Mary University of London
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Professor in Political Science, University of South Africa
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Lecturer of Political Science, Georgia Gwinnett College
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Extraordinary Lecturer, University of Pretoria
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Professor, Department of Political Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA), University of South Africa
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Honorary Professor of International Relations, University of the Witwatersrand
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Director of the Leaders of Africa Institute and Research Affiliate with Davidson College, Davidson College
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Emeritus Professor, University of Cape Town
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Director of the Centre for Global Development and Professor in the School of Education, University of Aberdeen
