Development of democratic culture and civil society in Africa: an analysis of relevant constitutional initiatives and models

Abstract

This study examines how present-day African constitutional and governance models in their own terms provide for democracy and civil society. The aim is to discover if a constitutional minimum can be discerned in Africa's diverse constitutional models and governance practices and to analyse how this promotes the development of democracy and civil society. The article first describes democracy and civil society in general and in socioeconomic and historical perspective, and gives a short political survey of the 50 independent African States which are members of the UN. Then it examines the following aspects of African constitutional initiatives and models: respect for the constitution, constitutionalism and the rule of law; one-partyism; accessibility of the party; equality within the party; multi-partyism and two-partyism; military rule; human rights; public accountability; women's representation; the use of referenda; and the inclusion in the constitution of the ideal of African unity. From this description of Africa's constitutional models, initiatives and governance the elements which promote democratic culture and civil society are derived.