Africa's new leaders : democracy or state reconstruction?

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Title:

Author:

Ottaway, Marina.

ISBN:

9780870031342

Personal Author:

Ottaway, Marina.

Publication Information:

Washington, D.C. : Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, c1999.

Physical Description:

vi, 138 p. : map ; 23 cm.

General Note:

"A Carnegie Endowment book"-- P. [4] of cover.

Contents:

1. Introduction -- 2. The Background -- 3. Uganda and the Politics of Process -- 4. Eritrea: Command State and Market Economy -- 5. Ethiopia and the Challenge of Politicized Ethnicity -- 6. Following the Example? Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo -- 7. Going Beyond the Borders -- 8. Looking Ahead.

Abstract:

Uganda, Ethiopia, and Eritrea are among the most dynamic countries in Africa. Their success in reconstructing war-devastated economies and restoring a degree of stability has won them international praise. But their aggressive foreign policies and their reluctance to yield to international pressure for a quick transition to democracy raise the possibility that they will sink into a new cycle of war and economic decay. What positive role can the international community play in countries where trends are so contradictory? This question will confront the United States - and not only in Africa - with increasing frequency. Africa's New Leaders: Democracy or State Reconstruction? is an important resource for policy makers and others forced to deal with countries where democratic change is both complex and protracted.

Subject Term:

Democracy -- Africa, Eastern -- History -- 20th century.

Monarchy -- Africa, Eastern -- History -- 20th century.

Geographic Term:

Africa, Eastern -- Politics and government -- 1960-

Added Corporate Author:

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Copies:

Available:*

Library	Material Type	Item Barcode	Shelf Number	Copy	Status
Searching... 1:IIEMSA	1:GEN-BOOK	33168015747104	320.96309049 O.89A 1999	1	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

This book's starting assumption is that democracy is always desirable, but may not always be possible in the short and medium run. The road to democracy thus may not initially be democratic. In this perspective, the author examines the experience of a small number of African countries which--under the guidance of energetic new leaders--have turned the corner away from conflict and economic disintegration and are now pursuing economic and political reform and assertive foreign policies that have made them into important regional players. Uganda, Ethiopia, and Eritrea--countries long synonymous with war and economic chaos--are now among the most dynamic on the continent. Their success is making them into a model attractive to other African governments, particularly in other countries emerging from conflict. Yet these countries' new leaders refuse to carry out the democratic reforms favored by the U.S., arguing that such measures would cause more conflict. Instead, they will move toward political reform in their own way and at their own pace. Can this process eventually lead to democracy or is it bound to restart a vicious circle of authoritarianism and economic decay? And can the U.S. influence the change, while accepting that the process is bound to be long and complex? These questions will confront the U.S. with increasing frequency in coming years. As the countries where democratic transformation was easiest move forward toward consolidation, policy makers will be forced to deal with those countries where democratic change is more complex.