Analysis - Democracy generally follows development, so Africa's friends should focus on unlocking rapid growth through better governance.
Deeper democracy in the sense of liberal democracy doesn't compensate for Africa's lack of stability and poor state capacity. In both these areas, Africa trails other regions of the world.
None of this means stepping away from the essentials of electoral democracy, especially free and fair elections, free speech and a clear division of powers. Instead, the issue is what the appropriate nature of democracy is, given the development levels of many African states. And that development partners should use the language of good governance rather than focusing on democracy.
Democracy and good governance generally overlap, with democracy considered as the best way to ensure good governance in the long term. But while waiting for the long term, Africa needs to get through the short and the medium terms at a time when 35% of people on the continent live in extreme poverty, and average incomes are only 74% of the average for the rest of the world.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Stanislas Zézé, the West African face of financial rating - The Africa Report.comBloomfield Investment Corporation has grown considerably in the last 15 years, and it has one man to thank: Stanislas Zézé. By nadcoul
Read more »
South Africa: U.S. Legislators Call For AGOA to Be Moved From South Africa for Supporting RussiaA group of legislators from the ruling Democratic Party and the opposition Republican Party have written to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, requesting that the Africa Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) meeting be moved from South Africa this year, News24 reports.
Read more »
US threatens South Africa with loss of trade privileges over Russia ties - The Africa Report.comSouthAfrica is toying with its eligibility for AGOA duty-free access to the world's largest consumer market if it continues to side with Russia, Congress warns. Report by JulianPecquet
Read more »
Southern Africa: UNHCR Southern Africa Delegation in Malawi to Discuss Relocation of Refugees, Asylum SeekersA high level delegation from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Southern Africa has arrived in the country on a mission to discuss with the Government of Malawi on relocation of refugees and asylum seekers.
Read more »
Africa: Selling Carbon Credits From Africa - Is it Indigenous People vs Carbon Offset Schemes?An international non-governmental organisation which campaigns for the rights of indigenous peoples who use traditional methods of making their living is challenging the way in which a project designed to combat climate change is being implemented across vast tracts of northern Kenya.
Read more »
Five strategic commodities for Africa’s food security - The Africa Report.comTo combat FoodSecurity in West Africa, some are calling for an emphasis on local cereals while others are betting on small-scale farming to feed urban centres. Which sectors have the greatest potential for profitability? Estelle Maussion reports.
Read more »