Subsaharan Africa in the 1990s Challenges to Democracy and Development

About this book

The economic performance of African countries south of the Sahara generally has been poor during the past two decades. External factors such as high oil prices, deteriorating terms of trade and wars, and formidable internal factors such as corruption, chauvinism, authoritarianism and violence have continued to plague the region. Whereas in the 1980s the Sub-Sahara was overwhelmed by drought, devaluation and debt, the 1990s have brought the paradox of civil strife and a complex transition to democracy. This volume surveys the major political, economic, social, ecological and gender related aspects of Sub-Saharan Africa's struggle toward democracy. Its essays pose two fundamental sets of ideas: that the internal equilibrium can be restored only through institutional changes with these countries; and that the political and economic dilemmas in the region are closely related to issues of gender and the environment. The volume should be of interest to scholars and students of comparative politics, developmental economics and African studies.

Contents

Part 1 Civil Society and Democratic Transition: Civil Society and Democratic Consolidation - Building a Culture of Democracy in a New South Africa, Larry Diamond; The "New" Civil Society and Democratic Transitions in Africa, Edward R. MacMahon; Lessons to be Learned from the Angolan Elections - 38 Reliable Guides or Misleading Judgements, William Minter. Part 2 The Politics of Economic Reforms: Labour, Structural Adjustment and Democracy in Sierra Leone and Ghana, Alfred B. Zack-Williams; Privatization in a Transitional Society - a Kenyan Case Study, Rukhsana A. Siddiqui; "The End of History or the Beginning of the End?" - Prospects for Botswana in the 21st Century, Larry A. Swatuck. Part 3 The Problems of Development Management: Nongovernmental Organizations and Government-Organized Nongovernmental Organizations - Opportunities for Development Management in Africa in the 21st Century, Peter Koehn and Olatunde Ojo; "Managing" Development in Sub-Saharan Africa in the 1990s - States, Market and Civil Societies in Alternative Paradigms, Sandra Maclean. Part 4 Women and Empowerment in Africa in the 1990s: Toward Equality for All? - International Human Rights for African Women, Lunn Berat; Barriers and Opportunities - the Role of Organizations in Nigerian Women's Quest for Empowerment, Mary J. Osirim. Part 5 Toward the Sustainable Development of African Ecology and Environment: Africa's Environmental Challenges - Deforestation and Development, Moses K. Tesi; The Issues of Development and Environment in Africa - an Overview, E. Ike Udogu.

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