Good government, democratisation and traditional African political philosophy : the example of the Kanyok of the Congo

dc.contributor.authorYodor, John
dc.date.accessioned2024-11-13T08:18:36Z
dc.date.available2024-11-13T08:18:36Z
dc.date.issued1998
dc.descriptionJournal Article
dc.description.abstractOver the last several decades, officials in both the public and private sectors have applied economic, military, cultural, academic and diplomatic tools to promote the spread of democratic pluralism in African and elsewhere. With the fall of Africa's most resilient tyrant, Mobutu Sese Seko, there is hope that even one of Africa's most troubled systems may be transformed into a state that reflects the will of the people and promotes the common good. Sober observers, however, remain pessimistic. Laurent Kabila's spotted record on human rights, his stubborn intolerance of political opposition, the challenging global economic and political environments, and the long history of bad government in Mobutu's Zaïre are obvious reasons for concern. Furthermore, the example of most other African states is not encouraging. With the exception of countries such as South Africa and Botswana, even the most tenuous democratic progress in Africa is often slowed, blocked or reversed. Generally, blame for this state of affairs has been levelled against the African political elite, the burden of colonialism, or international political and economic pressures. Specifically, for the Congo, Mobutu's kleptocracy, Belgium's paternalism, America's backing of a friendly dictator and the World Bank's support for ill-advised ‘development’ schemes all have been criticised. While such reproaches may be well deserved, this article argues that it is important to ask if the persistent failure of democracy in the Congo as well as in other African states is also related to African political culture.
dc.identifier.citationYodor, J. (1998). Good government, democratisation and traditional African political philosophy : the example of the Kanyok of the Congo. The Journal of Modern African Studies Cambridge University Press
dc.identifier.urihttps://repository.daystar.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5636
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherThe Journal of Modern African Studies Cambridge University Press
dc.relation.ispartofseries(36)3
dc.subjectpublic and private sectors
dc.subjecteconomic
dc.subjectmilitary
dc.subjectcultural
dc.subjectacademic and diplomatic tools
dc.subjectdemocratic pluralism
dc.titleGood government, democratisation and traditional African political philosophy : the example of the Kanyok of the Congo
dc.typeArticle

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