Civil society in Africa: Constraints and opportunities for democratic change

Africa has a rich associational life, but does this fit the description of a “civil society”? This question is particularly relevant for a discussion of its possible contribution to democratic change. In most discussions of civil society it is taken for granted that it is a vital part of democratization. This link stems from the record of democratization in Western countries, where voluntary associations have been a force in bringing about participatory and accountable forms of governance. But what should one expect of civil society in this regard in African countries that have been only marginally affected by previous waves of democratization and where, therefore, the political foundation on which to build democracy remains fragile?

Related Subject(s): Democracy and Governance