Africa's Dilemma - European Borders, Contested Rule
Date
1995
Authors
Katz, Mark N.
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Abstract
Africa has recently seen movement toward democratization.
Whether out of the growing conviction
that it is preferable, or the sense that
political change is inevitable, several one-party or
dictatorial regimes now permit a free press, opposition
parties, and more or less "free" elections. Indeed,
contested elections are becoming an increasingly common
feature of political life in Africa. Of course, there
are countries where progress toward democracy seemed
to have begun but was halted when the ruling elites
saw that this would lead to their removal. But these
regimes are no longer so self-confident; they are very
much on the defensive and appear to be weakening.
The demise of authoritarian regimes does not necessarily
mean that democracy will flourish in Africa;
authoritarian regimes have not been the only obstacle
to democracy. The "legacy of empire" - that all the
borders between African states were drawn by outside
powers without reference to preexisting national, ethnic,
or other boundaries - may become the most
serious obstacle to the establishment and maintenance
of democracy in Africa. Democratization often brings
forward demands for secession or a realignment of
existing patterns of ethnic relations. As a result,
democratization efforts may not proceed smoothly and
peacefully, and may involve internal conflict and
demands for the alteration of the colonial - era borders
recognized and maintained by the member countries of
the Organization of African Unity (OAU).
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Keywords
Democratization, Africa, Foreign policy, Europe, International relations