Civil Society and Democracy in Africa: Critical Perspectives / Edition 1

by Nelson Kasfir

Overview

This work critically reviews the conventional uses of the concept of civil society in promoting democratization in Africa and suggests omissions and modifications are needed for more accurate analyses.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780714649085
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	10/01/1998
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Nelson Kasfir- Dartmouth College

Table of Contents

The conventional notion of civil society - a critique, Nelson Kasfir; uncivil society, capitalism and the state in Africa, Irving Leonard Markovitz; the social power of religious organization and civil society - the Catholic Church in Uganda, Ronald Kassimir; expanding civil society - women and political space in contemporary Uganda, Aili Mari Tripp; politics, capital and the state in sub-Saharan Africa, Roger Tangri; civil society, the state and democracy in Africa, Nelson Kasfir.

Editorial Reviews

Provides a careful and broad critique of the conventional wisdom in applying the concept of civil society to politics in sub-Saharan Africa, and particularly to democratization. Examines the ideological roots of the conventional concept, reasons for failure of civil society actors to play their expected roles, the inability of civil society organizations to act independently of the state, and the failure of civil society to contribute to democratizing the African state. This group of studies first appeared in a special issue of Commonwealth and Comparative Politics, vol. 36, no. 2, July 1998. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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