Africa's Social Cleavages and Democratization offers a comparative approach to African countries by providing an in-depth analysis of the impact of ethnicity and religion on both multiparty and post-multiparty eras. By applying different theoretical frameworks, Douglas Kimemia explores and analyzes how social cleavages have affected the growth of democracy in Africa. It is crucial to assess the relationship between democratic development and the impact of social cleavages, because multiparty politics have increased political competition, participation, transparency, and civic engagement in Africa. However, social divisions have significantly slowed the maturing of democracy, as these social cleavages have become polarizing factors, which are used by political elites for their own self-interest. As a result, politics of identity caused by competition of natural resources have led to increased conflicts and political instability in Africa. The social cleavages have also led to polarized party systems and caused adverse effects on democracy due to the highly polarized societies and political competition. Despite the many positive impacts, multiparty politics have increased the consciousness of ethnic and religious identities, leading to unhealthy political competition as evidenced by highly fragmented societies prone to conflicts and violence. Kimemia comprehensively examines different governing, electoral, and party systems in order to determine the different incentives and how social divisions shape them. This analysis helps to distinguish more permanent political structures from the merely epiphenomenal within the African political scene.
Chapter 1: Introduction: Africa, Social Cleavages, and Democratization Process Chapter 2: Colonial and Post-Colonial Era in Africa Chapter 3: Development of Democracy Chapter 4: Ethnicity and Politics in Africa Chapter 5: Religion and Politics in Africa Chapter 6: Social Cleavages and Political Stability Chapter 7: Social Cleavages and Politics of Representation in Africa Chapter 8: Social Cleavages, Party Systems, and Political Parties Chapter 9: Social Cleavages and Political Conflicts in Africa Chapter 10: Social Cleavages, Regime Type, and Economic Systems in Africa Chapter 11: Social Cleavages and the Future of Democracy in Africa Chapter 12: Conclusion: Social Cleavages and Democracy in Africa
Chapter 1: Introduction: Africa, Social Cleavages, and Democratization Process Chapter 2: Colonial and Post-Colonial Era in Africa Chapter 3: Development of Democracy Chapter 4: Ethnicity and Politics in Africa Chapter 5: Religion and Politics in Africa Chapter 6: Social Cleavages and Political Stability Chapter 7: Social Cleavages and Politics of Representation in Africa Chapter 8: Social Cleavages, Party Systems, and Political Parties Chapter 9: Social Cleavages and Political Conflicts in Africa Chapter 10: Social Cleavages, Regime Type, and Economic Systems in Africa Chapter 11: Social Cleavages and the Future of Democracy in Africa Chapter 12: Conclusion: Social Cleavages and Democracy in Africa
