Alternative Electoral Systems and the 2005 Ethiopian Parliamentary Electio

by John Ishiyama Abstract What if an alternative set of electoral rules had been used to govern elections when an authoritarian regime introduces its first real competitive elections? Would this alter the trajectory of democratic transition, after the introduction of political competition? In this paper, I conduct a set of electoral simulations with different electoral […]

Decentralization, Local Governance and the Democratic Transition in Southern Africa: A Comparative Analysis

by James S. Wunsch Introduction What factors are required for viable, democratic, local governments in Africa? This is an important question for several reasons. First, in an era of continuing economic problems and structural adjustment, national governments have been forced to reduce the services they provide. While the private sector may pick-up some of these, […]

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC): Human Rights and State Transitions – The South Africa Model

by Patricia J. Campbell Abstract Post-authoritarian regimes have struggled with the most appropriate way to deal with the former regimes’ human rights abuses.Several schools of though have emerged as to how this should be accomplished.Into this framework the South Africa model, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), is discussed.The TRC has completed its charge and […]

The Legacy of J.J. Rawlings in Ghanaian Politics, 1979-2000

by John L. Adedeji Abstract Jerry John Rawlings, Ghana’s leader since the December 31, 1981 coup until the 2000 elections, was a Flight Lieutenant in the Air Force and a militant populist when he led the first coup of June 4, 1979, that overthrew the regime of Gen. Fred Akuffo, who had, in turn, deposed […]

Press and Politics in Zimbabwe

by Stanford D. Musaka Abstract This paper provides a historical background to the development of the press in Zimbabwe and identifies the political, social and economic interventions that have shaped the editorial policies and directions of the press. The development of the press in Zimbabwe press, the paper suggests, can be categorized into three eras: colonial/nationalist (pre-1980); transitional […]

Morroco in Transition: Overcoming the Democratic and Human Rights Legacy of King Hassan II

by Patricia J. Campbell Abstract Morocco’s King Hassan II died on 23 July 1999 and was succeeded by his son Muhammad VI. Much of the media coverage of Hassan II following his death portrayed him as a champion of democracy and human rights in the region. Was this really the case? Was Morocco under Hassan […]

Trop de Soleil Tue L’Amour et en Attendant le Vote de Betes Sauvages: Deux Extremes, Un Bilan des Transitions Democratiques en Afrique

by Pierre Fandio “Au bout de la patience, il y a le ciel. La nuit dure longtemps, mais le jour finit par arriver.” – Ahmadou Kourouma “Ce n’est pas parce que l’on a rendu l’âme qu’on est vraiment mort. On entame au contraire un long périple au cours duquel on traverse une forêt […]

African Studies Quarterly

Tag: Democratic Transition