Since the late 1980s, the changing dynamic of global development has driven the tide of democratic expansion in the developing world. In Africa, western donors have sought to impose "neo-liberal" visions of socio-economic and political institution-building, spreading political reforms and economic liberalization with far-reaching consequences. Associated with external interventions, but also sometimes conflicting with them, are internal protests against authoritarianism, which have problematically reinforced and/or undermined the donor agenda for democratic reform.Here Usman Tar questions the assumption that Africa was lacking the essential components for a spontaneous transition to democracy. He explores the dynamic, but contradictory, links between external and internal dimensions of neo-liberal democratic expansion in Africa, focusing on Nigeria. Tar dissects the struggles for democracy, and for democratic policy and practice in a country with rich economic potential, but a troubled political dispensation.
Author(s): Usman A. Tar
Edition: 1
Publisher: I. B. Tauris
Year: 2008
Language: English
Pages: 290
Contents......Page 8
List of Tables and Figures......Page 9
Abbreviations......Page 10
Acknowledgements......Page 13
Preface......Page 15
Introduction......Page 20
Global and Local Discourses: Civil Society and the Achievements of Democracy......Page 36
External and Internal Dimensions of Democratic Expansion: Towards a Synergy......Page 73
The Evolution of Civil Society: Contemporary Character and Democratic Potentials......Page 108
Confrontations with the State: Labour Movements and Civic Associations......Page 146
Civil Society and Electoral Process: From Illusion to Reality......Page 190
Conclusion: A Critique of Neoliberal Democracy, the State and Civil Society......Page 229
Appendix: Methodology......Page 244
Notes and References......Page 251
Bibliography......Page 264
Index......Page 284
