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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Catching the 'Third Wave' of Democratization? Debating Political Party Effectiveness in Africa since 1980
Author:McMahon, Edward R.ISNI
Year:2004
Periodical:African and Asian Studies
Volume:3
Issue:3-4
Pages:295-320
Language:English
Geographic term:Africa
Subjects:democracy
political parties
multiparty systems
Politics and Government
History and Exploration
External link:https://doi.org/10.1163/1569209332643674
Abstract:Many observers believe that multiparty democracy increasingly represents the inevitable future of governance around the world. While some countries in Africa have made remarkable progress in instituting and moving toward consolidation of democratic systems, there has also been a history of political systems that place de facto or de jure constraints on the ability of political parties to function. There remains a current of underlying scepticism toward political parties. This paper identifies, explains and critiques five key arguments against multiparty politics: parties breed conflict in fragile nation States; parties are authoritarian urban-based groupings of small elites and do not reflect grassroots views; parties are corrupt; there is no middle class; other systems are actually more democratic. While individual elements of these arguments may have some validity, the subsequent conclusion that party activity should be constrained, if not prohibited, is not consonant with democratic governance. There are ways of addressing weaknesses in political party functioning without placing limits on the ability of parties to play their legitimate role in a democratic political process. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract, edited]
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