Contemporary African Politics: A Comparative Study of Political Transition to Democratic Legitimacy FROM THE PUBLISHER
Contemporary African Politics presents a series of essays focusing on the transition to democracy in the countries of Africa. The contributors use specific case studies to identify the problems and prospects of the search for democratic legitimacy in Africa. Taking into account the rapid political changes in Africa, the essays demonstrate the pursuit of democracy as more than a simple adaptation of western institutional structures and philosophical ideals, but the unique manipulation of domestic variables capable of nurturing democratic ideals that will sustain the democratization process. They examine the varied conceptual perspectives on democracy as related to Africa while critiquing the comparative perspectives of many of the democratic experiments. The contributors discuss international relations, the role of the military, and the problem of African economic recovery in the context of the developing democracies, emphasizing Uganda, Nigeria, Namibia, and South Africa through specific case studies.
Author Biography: Bamidele A. Ojo is Associate Professor of Political Science at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
FROM THE CRITICS
Booknews
Eight papers from a November 1997 panel in Philadelphia provide a wide range of perspectives on the transition to democracy across the continent, which has been a major focus of attention since the end of the cold war. Some of the political scientist authors consider Africa as a whole, exploring such topics as the democratic discourse in international relations, the military, and economic recovery. Others look in particular at Uganda, Namibia, Nigeria, and South Africa. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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