The state of democracy in Africa: democratic decline or autocracy?
Many African states experienced democratic transition following the third wave of democratization that spread across the region in the 1990s. Such democratic states became characterized by multiparty elections, tolerance for opposition tolerance, media freedom, protection of human rights and respect...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Faculty of Political Science, University of Belgrade, Serbia, and Faculty of Political Science, University of Zagreb
2022-01-01
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| Series: | Političke Perspektive |
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| Online Access: | https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/418842 |
| _version_ | 1797206588964995072 |
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| author | Tope Shola Akinyetun |
| author_facet | Tope Shola Akinyetun |
| author_sort | Tope Shola Akinyetun |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Many African states experienced democratic transition following the third wave of democratization that spread across the region in the 1990s. Such democratic states became characterized by multiparty elections, tolerance for opposition tolerance, media freedom, protection of human rights and respect for the rule of law. However, recent trends show that democratic growth has stalled while its gains are short-lived in many states. This is evidenced in the rise in third termism, constitutional coups, military coups and digital authoritarianism that plagues the continent – suggesting a wave of democratic relapse and autocracy. One is therefore poised to ask what the state of democracy in Africa is and what trends and practices have led to a general decline in levels of democracy. To this end, this paper assesses the incidence of democratic recession in Africa by adopting a descriptive and analytical approach that relies on secondary data sourced from peer-reviewed journal articles, reports, briefs and internet sources. It was found that the decline in democratization, otherwise democratic relapse heralds an epoch of democratic instability and entrenched autocracy in the continent. This is not unconnected with the spate of bad governance, violent electoral contestation, digital repression and widespread violation of human rights that is prevalent on the continent. It was therefore recommended that priority be given to good governance, the strengthening of state institutions and tolerance for opposition. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T09:09:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5c51d0d170484f1a9bf6e1ab801c9e3b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2217-561X 2335-027X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T09:09:25Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | Faculty of Political Science, University of Belgrade, Serbia, and Faculty of Political Science, University of Zagreb |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Političke Perspektive |
| spelling | doaj.art-5c51d0d170484f1a9bf6e1ab801c9e3b2024-04-15T18:13:50ZengFaculty of Political Science, University of Belgrade, Serbia, and Faculty of Political Science, University of ZagrebPolitičke Perspektive2217-561X2335-027X2022-01-011228911510.20901/pp.12.2.04The state of democracy in Africa: democratic decline or autocracy?Tope Shola Akinyetun0Lagos State University of Education, Lagos State, NigeriaMany African states experienced democratic transition following the third wave of democratization that spread across the region in the 1990s. Such democratic states became characterized by multiparty elections, tolerance for opposition tolerance, media freedom, protection of human rights and respect for the rule of law. However, recent trends show that democratic growth has stalled while its gains are short-lived in many states. This is evidenced in the rise in third termism, constitutional coups, military coups and digital authoritarianism that plagues the continent – suggesting a wave of democratic relapse and autocracy. One is therefore poised to ask what the state of democracy in Africa is and what trends and practices have led to a general decline in levels of democracy. To this end, this paper assesses the incidence of democratic recession in Africa by adopting a descriptive and analytical approach that relies on secondary data sourced from peer-reviewed journal articles, reports, briefs and internet sources. It was found that the decline in democratization, otherwise democratic relapse heralds an epoch of democratic instability and entrenched autocracy in the continent. This is not unconnected with the spate of bad governance, violent electoral contestation, digital repression and widespread violation of human rights that is prevalent on the continent. It was therefore recommended that priority be given to good governance, the strengthening of state institutions and tolerance for opposition.https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/418842authoritarianismelectiongovernancemilitary coupthird termism |
| spellingShingle | Tope Shola Akinyetun The state of democracy in Africa: democratic decline or autocracy? Političke Perspektive authoritarianism election governance military coup third termism |
| title | The state of democracy in Africa: democratic decline or autocracy? |
| title_full | The state of democracy in Africa: democratic decline or autocracy? |
| title_fullStr | The state of democracy in Africa: democratic decline or autocracy? |
| title_full_unstemmed | The state of democracy in Africa: democratic decline or autocracy? |
| title_short | The state of democracy in Africa: democratic decline or autocracy? |
| title_sort | state of democracy in africa democratic decline or autocracy |
| topic | authoritarianism election governance military coup third termism |
| url | https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/418842 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT topesholaakinyetun thestateofdemocracyinafricademocraticdeclineorautocracy AT topesholaakinyetun stateofdemocracyinafricademocraticdeclineorautocracy |