Fragments of democracy: nationalism, development and the state in Africa
OUTPUT TYPE: Monograph (Book)
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2003
TITLE AUTHOR(S): G.Williams
KEYWORDS: AFRICA, DEMOCRACY, DEVELOPMENT, POLITICAL CHANGE
DEPARTMENT: Developmental, Capable and Ethical State (DCES)
Web link: https://www.hsrcpress.ac.za/books/fragments-of-democracy
Print: HSRC Library: shelf number 2314
HANDLE: 20.500.11910/9267
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11910/9267
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2003
TITLE AUTHOR(S): G.Williams
KEYWORDS: AFRICA, DEMOCRACY, DEVELOPMENT, POLITICAL CHANGE
DEPARTMENT: Developmental, Capable and Ethical State (DCES)
Web link: https://www.hsrcpress.ac.za/books/fragments-of-democracy
Print: HSRC Library: shelf number 2314
HANDLE: 20.500.11910/9267
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11910/9267
If you would like to obtain a copy of this Research Output, please contact Hanlie Baudin at researchoutputs@hsrc.ac.za.
Abstract
This paper argues that the concept of democracy is fragmentary in two respects: definitions of democracy are partial and incomplete, and their meanings depend on their historical contexts. The period since the Second World War in Africa has been dominated by three related themes: political nationalism, communal competition, and economic development. The state is central to all of them. Each draws on aspects of the democratic tradition and has significant, and often negative, implications for democratic practice. Hence our historical focus on the themes of nationalism, community, class, development, economic strategies, and multi-party elections. Democratic politics requires space for continuing dialogue, not least on the meaning of democracy itself.-
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