GOVERNANCE IN AFRICA Africa in mid century was a largely colonized continent by the British, Belgians, French, and other European nations

AFTER INDEPENDENCE After independence two distinct political

movements occurred in these nations

1. one party authoritarian governments

Or

2. “African Socialism”

NEXT STEP FOR AFRICA For many of these nations the next step

was the movement to military regimes as this was the most prominent way to destroy an authoritarian regime

DOES THE FUTURE HAVE DEMOCRACY IN IT? BY 1989 only 5 African nations could be

considered democratic: Botswana, Gambia, Senegal, Mauritius, and Zimbabwe

This began to change rapidly in the 1990s as political liberalization became common

By 1995, multiparty elections were held in 38 African nations.

Pressure to reform came from OAU, EU, IMF, World Bank

MAPS https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedo

m-world/freedom-world-2015#.VOdKjubF91Z

https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/01152015_FIW_2015_final.pdf

https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world-2015/africas-gains-and-declines#.VOdLBubF91Y

OBSTACLES TO FUTURE DEMOCRATIC REFORMS Civil War- will disrupt the ability to

exercise free democratic principles HIV- takes away young voters and

candidates Poverty- breeds radicalism and

desperation Economic limitations- fighting over

limited resources serves as a catalyst for radical actions to gain control over them

Lack of infrastructure- nations have an inability to simply run an election without accusations of corruption

NEWS http://

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20465752

http://www.economist.com/node/21551494

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/27/world/africa/africas-steady-steps-toward-democracy.html