Title: <i>Democratic reform in Africa: Its impact on governance and poverty alleviation</i> (review)
Abstract: Reviewed by: Democratic reform in Africa: Its impact on governance and poverty alleviation Percyslage Chigora (bio) Muna Ndulo (ed). Democratic reform in Africa: Its impact on governance and poverty alleviation. James Currey, Oxford, 2006, pp.304. Issues of democratic reform are critical in enhancing development particularly in the developing world. The book has been well set and formulated to raise these issues in an attempt to illuminate and drive the agenda for development in Africa. The introduction that makes the first chapter, by Muna Ndulo brought to fore the concept of the rule of law and how it is directly related to development particularly as it pertains to governance and poverty reduction. The second chapter by Johann Kriegler offers an overview of the African situation in terms of democratic reform. He made quiet interesting observations about African countries noting "most African countries are not developing but regressing" (p.11). This presents the need for democratic reform and calling upon the outside world The United States and the European Union to play a critical role in ending poverty in Africa not through handouts or acts of kindliness but making sure that the markets are accessible. The author demonstrated how democracy entrenches development especially through creating a responsive government that implements developmental projects. He rounded up by discussing the role of NEPAD and local government in fostering development. Joel D. Barkan in third chapter examined Africa's experience with democracy through phases, the past, the present and the future. From the past the issues of liberation and struggle for independence were cited as moves towards democratisation only to be stalled by the new majoritarian government's moves towards one party state systems, neo-patrimonialisation of the state and creation of military regimes. The present begins with the end of the cold war where politics featured three groups, i.e. incumbent authoritarians, insurgents and reformers. On what is happening on the continent the author identified two worldviews that are emerging, on one-hand optimists and on the other realists. The author went on to examine the factors that are inhibiting democratisation. Finally he suggested scenarios for the future and what can be done to consolidate democracy. [End Page 79] The fourth chapter by Ann Seidman and Robert B. Seidman deals with law as an instrument for development. To them development lagged behind since independence because governors "did not understand that, to carry out development, institutional transformation constituted their principal task, and partly because those leaders who occasionally did try to transform institutions had no theory to guide them in their use of law" (p.27). The authors analysed 'Africa's multiple agonies' i.e. poverty, vulnerability and poor governance and went on to explain the role of law in promoting development. They also explained factors behind populist leaders failing to enhance development and providing an in depth exposition of how the use of law drives and shapes development. Penelope Andrews using South Africa as a case study analysed how the constitution has been a mechanism for redressing poverty. She provided cases on how social and economic rights have been enforced. The author cited the structural and extra-constitutional impediments to redressing poverty. She concluded by providing extra-legal strategies for reducing poverty. Of importance the author noted, "the national and provincial governments have inherited an enormous backlog of economic needs and inequalities; they have an unenviable task in addressing these needs and redressing the inequalities. Addressing these problems require fortitude, foresight, good planning, effective administration and a clear commitment to success" (p.65). Peter N. Takirambudde and Kate K. Fletcher using a human rights perspective analysed the place of civil society in governance and poverty alleviation. They stated categorically that the "development community has increasingly come to recognise the links between civil and political rights, good governance, and economic development" (p.68). Issues of governance and civil society were clarified in so far as they contribute to development. The authors concluded by justifying civil society as contributing to poverty reduction. In chapter seven Muna Ndulo examines the concept of decentralization and how it directly linked to governance and development. He analysed the concept of devolution and stated political and economic benefits as well...
Publication Year: 2008
Publication Date: 2008-06-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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