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Essay APC2602 - Political Economy Of Africa THE LOGIC BEHIND AFRICAN NEO-PATRIMONIAL PRACTICES
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Essay APC2602 - Political Economy Of Africa THE LOGIC BEHIND AFRICAN NEO-PATRIMONIAL PRACTICES
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THE LOGIC BEHIND AFRICAN NEO-PATRIMONIAL PRACTICES INAFRICA AND THE ROLE THE DONORS SHOULD PLAY
INTRODUCTION
Since the “third wave of democracy broke in the early 1990s,
practitioners, both local campaigners and imported governance
specialists, have been disappointed to see just how difficult it is to
build democratic, accountable states in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
What we have now are a number of African countries that display
the outward signs of a modern, democratic state (holding
elections, having democratic-style institutions such as a
presidency, police force and a judiciary).
For reasons that suit the internal dynamics of individual donors,
the global aid regime and African governments, all behave as
though power resides within these government institutions and
that they function as designed. This delusion, as well as donor
funding, helps maintain such hybrid regimes.
NEOPATRIMONIAL STATE PRACTICE
Decisions about resources
What scholars like Chabal and van de Walle have shown us is that,
in states labelled neopatrimonial or hybrid, real power and real
decision-making lie outside formal institutions. Instead, decisions
about resources are made by ‘big men’ and their cronies, who are
linked by ‘informal’ (private and personal, patronage) networks
that exist outside the state structure, and who follow the logic of
personal and particularist interest rather than national betterment.
Corruption is rampant (unrestrained) because private and public
, funds are co-mingled by those in power. Though there are
differences between regimes, their overarching logic is to gain and
retain power at all costs.
Staying in power
Because of its poor economic performance, Africa produces little
wealth (by global standards) and state resources (including aid) are
the main source of income in many SSA countries. Thus, rulers and
their dependent elites have every reason to try and stay in power,
for not having control of government deprives them of wealth and
influence. Losing and election can mean quite powerful people,
such as a cabinet minister, returning to the village, obscurity and
relative poverty.
Those not in office but attempting to get there, generally view this
political system as legitimate. That is, they do not protest about a
system where politicians “eat” while in power; instead they fight
for ‘chance’ because they are not eating. Tradition require leaders
to share their wealth in many of societies, constituencies and
voters will cast a ballot depending on what they think they can get
from a candidate. This bargaining is not seen as unreasonable or
corrupt.
Judiciary
In a functional democracy, the judiciary is central to the rule of
law. But in these hybrid states, judicial independence is under
threat as courts are deliberately under-resourced, judges’ wages
and pensions are at risk, individual justices are threatened with
dismal or worse, and tame judges are appointed to key positions.
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