ISBN 9782869780828
Pages 208
Dimensions 229 x 152 mm
Published 2000
Publisher CODESRIA, Senegal
Format Paperback

The Feasibility of Democracy in Africa

by Claude Ake

The Feasibility of Democracy in Africa was named as an Outstanding Academic Title by Choice.

Issues dealt with in this study of democracy in Africa, include underdevelopment and economic marginality, ethnic consciousness and the nature of political power in Africa. A true African democracy, Ake argues, is both a second independence and a deep need for self- realisation. The late distinguished scholar outlines, in a sweeping continental survey, how the democratic commitment has transformed Africa's legacy of dictatorship, military regimes and single-party rule. He also demonstrates how cleverly conservative autocrats have spoken the democratic message and subverted its promise. The danger of trivialising democracy into successive multi-party elections is now very real, and the books spells out the hazards facing nascent democratic movements.

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Reviews

'...a refreshing insight...frank, engaging and incisive analysis...a further tribute to the scholarship of Claude Ake...'

African Journal of Political Science

'It is a great bonus to have this last posthumous contribution for Claude Ake, the great Nigerian political theorist and analyst...'

Leeds African Studies Bulletin

'It displays a rare combination of breadth, depth, precision and detail.' 

African Book Publishing Record

About the Author

Claude Ake

The late Claude Ake was one of Africa's most distinguished political scientists. He studied and held various teaching positions in Canada, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria and the United States. He was founder and Director of the Centre for Adavance Social Sciences, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

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