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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Globalization and State-society relations in Africa
Author:Mengisteab, KidaneISNI
Year:2008
Periodical:Africa Development: A Quarterly Journal of CODESRIA (ISSN 0850-3907)
Volume:33
Issue:2
Pages:37-65
Language:English
Notes:biblio. refs.
Geographic term:Africa
Subjects:globalization
State-society relationship
government policy
social welfare
Economics, Commerce
Globalization--Social aspects
Globalization--Political aspects
Globalization--Economic aspects
External link:https://www.jstor.org/stable/24484655
Abstract:The postcolonial African State has long been viewed as a major culprit in Africa's socioeconomic crisis. Its failure to coordinate policy with broad social interests and to reconcile its governance system with the institutions and cultural values of its citizens is a major factor. This paper examines if new globalization and its liberalization policies have begun to narrow the discrepancy between policy and social interests and to facilitate the reconstitution of the State by shifting the balance of power between State and society in favour of society. Aspects of broad social interests include access to health care and education, alleviation of poverty, increasing food availability, diversification of the economy to facilitate growth and job creation, and the creation of a democratic system of governance with real representation for the general population. The findings suggest that, despite the apparent spread of democratization during the era of post Cold-War globalization, the policy mechanisms of globalization have notably worsened the disjuncture between policy and social interests and exacerbated the antagonisms between the State and society in the African continent. Bibliogr., sum. in English and French. [Journal abstract]
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