The Fate of Africa's Democratic Experiments: Elites and Institutions

by Leonardo A. Villalon (Editor), Peter VonDoepp (Editor)

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780253003119
Publisher:	Indiana University Press
Publication date:	09/01/2005
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	336
File size:	662 KB

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

<FMO>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