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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Capital, Power and Business Associations in the African Political Economy: A Tale of Two Countries, Ghana and Nigeria
Author:Kraus, JonISNI
Year:2002
Periodical:Journal of Modern African Studies
Volume:40
Issue:3
Period:September
Pages:395-436
Language:English
Geographic terms:Ghana
Nigeria
Subjects:bourgeoisie
private sector
Development and Technology
Economics and Trade
External link:https://www.jstor.org/stable/3876043
Abstract:In this era of neoliberal capitalist economics in Africa, has organized private capital in the form of business associations (BAs) become more active in public life or developed influence in public policy formation or implementation? This analysis examines the impact of five key factors to explain varying activity levels and influence of BAs in Ghana and Nigeria since independence: levels of capitalist development and hence size of the capitalist class; strength and autonomy of the capitalist class; strength of capitalist ideology; democratic versus authoritarian rule; and impact of external hegemonic powers and ideologies. The focus is on key peak or central BA's, with examples drawn from others including, in Nigeria: the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Manufacturing and Agriculture (NACCIMA), the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN), and the Nigerian Economic Summit; and in Ghana: the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce (GNCC), Association of Ghanaian Industries (AGI), and Ghana Chambers of Mines (GCM).The paper finds that Nigeria's BAs are more highly developed, have had higher activity levels, and had more influence, however limited, than Ghana's. Externally generated economic liberalization has stimulated higher levels of BA activity, but not necessarily the political space for BA autonomy. Political democratization appears to increase political space, BA access to the State, and policy influence. App., bibliogr., sum.
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