Description
Book SynopsisOutstanding Academic Title for 2007, Choice Magazine
This volume studies elections as a core institution of liberal democracy in the context of newly democratizing countries. Political scientist Staffan I. Lindberg gathers data from every nationally contested election in Africa from 1989 to 2003, covering 232 elections in 44 countries. He argues that democratizing nations learn to become democratic through repeated democratic behavior, even if their elections are often flawed.
Refuting a number of established hypotheses, Lindberg finds no general negative trend in either the frequency or the quality of African elections. Rather, elections in Africa, based on his findings, are more than just the goal of a transition toward democracy or merely a formal procedure. The inception of multiparty elections usually initiates liberalization, and repeated electoral activities create incentives for political actors, fostering the expansion and deepening of democratic values. In addition to improving the democratic qualities of political regimes, a sequence of elections tends to expand and solidify de facto civil liberties in society.
Drawing on a wealth of data, Lindberg makes the case that repetitive elections are an important causal factor in the development of democracy. He thus extends Rustow''s (1970) theory that democratic behavior produces democratic values.
Trade ReviewFor the foreseeable future, this book will be the essential reference on African multiparty elections. Foreign Affairs A good and timely book on a very important topic... His prose highlights his expertise in Africa, the comparative literature on democratization, democratization in Africa, and methodology. Taiwan Journal of Democracy 2006 An important contribution to the study of African politics and democratization in general... Highly recommended. Choice 2007 A rigorous investigation... This book makes a notable contribution to the study of electoral politics, democratisation theory and the study of African politics. -- Peter Burnell Political Studies Review 2007 Lindberg contributes a serious study that has significant heuristic value and will encourage a testing and retesting of its hypotheses and theoretical premises. -- John R. Heilbrunn Comparative Political Studies 2007 This book is an original, important, and in many ways impressive study that will make a contribution to both electoral and Africanist scholarship. -- James R. Scarritt Perspectives on Politics 2007 This book is a path-breaking and much-needed study of the role of elections in Africa. -- Nic Cheeseman Africa 2007 Lindberg has done a good job. Written with serious academic and methodological rigor, this book contributes to the discourse on comparative democratization in Africa. -- Arthur Abraham International Journal of African Historical Studies 2007 Contains significant levels of data and analysis and will be a useful text for students and practitioners alike. -- Heather Deegan Democratization 2007 Essential reading for all people interested in elections and democracy in Africa. -- Gero Erdmann African History 2008 Draws far-reaching and well-based conclusions about the 'power of elections.' -- Gero Erdmann Development and Cooperation 2008 Without doubt, this study provides a strong stimulus for future research, and this is precisely what excellent scientific work is meant to be. -- Matthias Basedau Modern African Studies 2008
Table of ContentsList of Tables and Figures
Preface
1. Introduction
The Role of Elections
Why Africa?
On Regimes
On Elections and Democracy
Preindependence and Postindependence Elections in African Nations
Contemporary Africa's Track Record
Outline of the Book
2. On Democracy and Elections
Making a Conceptual Choice
Defining Democracy
Operationalizing Democratic Qualities of Elections
Data Collection and Processing
3. Elections in Africa over Time
Frequency and Number of Elections
The Democratic Qualities, on Average
Democratic Qualities of Elections over Time Conclusions
4. The Self-Reinforcing Power of Elections
Going from Bad to Worse
First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Later Elections
A Panel-Group Comparison
Conclusions
5. The Causal Effects of Elections
Democratic Qualities in Society
A Missing Factor of Democratization
Hypotheses and Causal Links
6. Democratization by Elections?
Elections Are Associated with Civil Liberties
Analyzing by Countries
Conclusions
7. Comparative Perspectives and Reflections
The Transition Paradigm
Corruption and Democratization
Stateness and Social Citizenship
Lessons on Consolidation
Policy Implications
The Power of Elections in Unfavorable Conditions
Appendix 1: Overview of Elections in Africa, by Year
Appendix 2: Changes in Civil Liberties Rankings
Appendix 3: About the Freedom House Civil Liberties Index
Appendix 4: A Data Set on Elections in Africa
Notes
References
Index
