Closing the Circle: Democratization and Development in Africa

Author Biography: Richard Sandbrook is Professor of Political Science at the University of Toronto.

It is a truism that many African countries face a three-pronged tribulation--political tyranny; failed capitalist development; and violent domestic conflict. The relationship between effective democratic institutions, successful development and civil peace is less clear. This book analyzes the experience with democratization of a carefully selected sample of countries: Ghana, Mali, and Niger in West Africa; Zambia, Tanzania, and Madagascar in East Africa; and Sudan.

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Sandbrook (political science, U. of Toronto) acknowledges the variations to the practice of democracy in Africa in this broad study (which includes revised and expanded versions of earlier articles). Chapters consider the authenticity of recent democratic transitions in Africa, analyze how and under what conditions democratic institutions foster social peace rather than deadly conflict, and demonstrate comparatively the contributions of democratic politics to market-led recovery. Developments in Ghana are discussed as an example of how democratization can influence the building of institutional foundations for growth and security. A final chapter argues for the usefulness of instituting a supportive social-democratic globalization. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Richard Sandbrook is Professor of Political Science at the University of Toronto.