“DICTATED DEMOCRACY”: THE PARADOX OF POLITICAL GOVERNANCE IN AFRICA AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

This paper examines the practice of democracy in Africa and its effect on socio-economic development. It argues that socio-economic crisis in Africa are pegged on poor practice of democracy. In essence the paper questions the kind of democracy in Africa and submits that the continent suffers from “dictated” democracy evident in powerful presidents without respect for constitutional power limits, harassment of political opponents as well securitization of democracy; influence of the legislative arm by the powerful executive; and ethnic based politics. The paper reasons that liberal democracy with its representative approach of relegating power to few elites is not fit for African context. The paper than proposes the way out as having a proto-type democracy which is participatory oriented. Such an approach will lead to addressing Africa’s political and development challenges. The proto-type democracy calls for a third liberation envisaged in democratic ideals such as transparency, fairness, justice, integrity, respect of constitution, and electoral integrity.