ipl-logo

Going Within African Elections: Two Divergent Trends

1119 Words5 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Democracy in soith africa

Africa has been a region that has been through countless hardships, from the exploitation of slavery to the apartheid policy that was implemented by the Europeans. Today the Continent of Africa is in a predicament; some countries are democratic while others are full-fledged autocracies. Ever since the fall of the Soviet Union during World War II, and the release of Nelson Mandela from jail, democracy has been on the rise in Africa. However some countries within Africa that have tried to take the step towards democratization have been pulled back into the clutches of authoritarianism through the hands of a president. The article African Elections: Two Divergent Trends, written by Kennedy Ocieng’ Opalo informs the readers that Africa is going …show more content…

This can particularly be seen in the recent elections that took place in 2011. On September 20th, in Zambia the president Rupiah Banda lost the elections to the opposition party, while in Cameroon the citizen’s re-elected their president of thirty years back to presidency (Opalo 2012,80). The case of Zambia displays that democratization is becoming stronger in that particular area, however in Cameroon authoritarianism is rising and becoming more prevalent and stronger. This trend can also be seen in countries such as Benin, Cape Verde and Ghana (Opalo 2012,80). These countries are taking the step towards having responsible governments, more civil liberties, and justice, while countries such as Nigeria and Zimbabwe are going through the exact opposite trend. Both of these countries are discrediting civil liberties, responsible government and other democratic characteristics. Instead they are furthering the power and the authority of …show more content…

Opalo believes that the power that the “big man,” the individual who is in power (Opalo 2012, 82) contains is central to how democracy emerges. He also believes that legislative elections affect whether or not democracy will develop. The power that the president holds is central to whether or not democracy will emerge because the president has the power to extend the presidential term limits. Out of forty countries twenty-two have adopted term limits, but thirteen presidents have tried to get rid of the limits. However ten presidents succeeded in doing so. The legislature is key to democratization because it is a separate body that keeps the president and the officials accountable. Opalo displays that presidents who have gotten a hold of the legislature tend to increase or completely abolish the presidential term limits, which leads to the individual in power to become an

Show More
Related

Segal And Spaeth's Argument Analysis

1314 Words | 6 Pages

With this immense amount of power comes extreme limitations which can sometimes severely hamper the effectives of a presidential term. Unlike the misconstrued widely held belief of most Americans the President is not able to single handily reshape the economy, engage in military conflicts, or dictate the pace of legislature. In terms of passing new legislature or economic reform the president

Read More

Review Of A More Perfect Constitution By Sabato

1768 Words | 8 Pages

Because of this, the entire fourth year of each president’s term ends up devoted to reelection, instead of helping the country. Sabato continues to explain that reelection takes far more than a single year, rather taking up nearly half of a president’s term. Sabato shows how this drains the president’s willingness to do things for their governmental wisdom, instead sticking to policy choices that will cause reelection. Additionally, Sabato talks about the two-term limit and how until Roosevelt, all presidents followed the example of George Washington by sticking to only serving two terms. After the twenty-second amendment, all presidents were limited to only two terms.

Read More

Analysis Of A More Perfect Constitution By Larry J Sabato

1615 Words | 7 Pages

If the President did not have to run for reelection, then the President would save an average of 514 days to deal with issues affecting the nation. Within 500 days, there may be issuing of policies, statutes, and regulations and passed for the benefit of the country. Sabato’s plan of removing the reelection process would and could increase the prosperity of the country and an increasing number of lost voices in the government, instead of an institution running things. The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion has discovered that 12 out of 19 Americans would like to abolish the Electoral College. With this new six-year term, people will feel a need to vote, the President can worry about the country rather than reelection, and with the new confirmation election, the population will gain knowledge from the media that will help persuade public opinion of the

Read More

Comparing The Presidency: Presidential Power And President Expanded

730 Words | 3 Pages

Thao Nguyen C02441795 Dr. Coaty PSCI 180 May 19, 2016 The Presidency: Presidential Power and President Expanded The President is not only the face of the country but also the leader that will paint the bright future for the country through wise plans; it can be said that President is an important role in the government system and they have the power to control the country. However, they cannot take advantage of their authority but have to lead the country to a better future. Every Presidential term lasts four years and during this time, their power is always possible in all aspects.

Read More

Paradox Of The American Presidency By Meena Bose

879 Words | 4 Pages

Lastly, the authors delve into the components making up presidential leadership, which they follow with an analysis of the implications this style of leadership has for America’s democracy. The authors highlight how American sentiments toward liberty present

Read More

Civil Disobedience Rhetorical Analysis Essay

775 Words | 4 Pages

“Is a democracy, such as we know it, the last improvement possible in government? Is it not possible to take a step further towards recognizing and organizing the rights of man? There will never be a really free and enlightened State until the State comes to recognize the individual as a higher and independent power, from which all its own power and authority are derived, and treats him accordingly.” To answer his question democracy is not the last improvement possible as we have witnessed over the years, also we do need to realize why those who are in a power/ higher authority that us get the final decision and we also need to realize that we give them this power to oppress and undermine us so that they are the all

Read More

The Pros And Cons Of The Declaration Of Independence

1884 Words | 8 Pages

As a former leader of the free world, President Obama evidences and clarifies the benefits and defining qualities of a democracy that encourages for the formation of more democratic forms of government. “Governments that respect the rights of their citizens and abide by the rule of law do better, grow faster, draw more investment than those who don’t” (President Obama). This respect not only establishes a peaceful relationship between the government and its people but also allows freedom to reign. This analysis of the effects of democracy on human rights is necessary, for it is quite evident that in authorities and monarchies these same freedoms are not granted.

Read More

Pros And Cons Of Presidential Term Limits

743 Words | 3 Pages

Presidential Term Limits As one of the most powerful titles in the world, presidential term limits will always be a center point of political arguments and it is my belief that the voters should be able to “write- in” a previous president after his “2-term (8 year) limit”. While proposals have been made over the years by many different people at different power levels within the government, the main goal was to keep a dictatorship from forming in America. Bryan Putney, Arthur Capper, Jeremy Paul, and Stephen C. Erickson all felt the same about the fact that term limits need to be established, but differed on what the “term limit” should be.

Read More

Does The Presidency Have Too Much Power Essay

1190 Words | 5 Pages

]The Presidency: Too Much Power? Kings, Queens, dictators and tyrants; this was a fear of the American people. The New World was instead built on a democracy with the key executive branch consisting of a president. The president was given power, though few, in fear of a tyrannical leader. Since 1787 the presidency has been under a microscope, and it can be seen the presidency has evolved as the country has; delicately, the constitution was written to allow the presidency to do so.

Read More

Kamara Vs Williams

621 Words | 3 Pages

The division and exploitation of Africa ultimately established the foundation for issues such as the apartheid and

Read More

Does The Presidency Become Too Powerful

953 Words | 4 Pages

In the past 100 years, the power of the presidency has increased immensely. Many presidents have expanded upon the rights given to the executive branch in the Constitution, usually to push topic and issues important to them. These expansions of power beg the question: Has the presidency become too powerful? This is what I will explore in my essay. I will dive into some specific instances in which the power of the president has been questioned, and explore how the power has grown, and where the executive branch still has limitations on power.

Read More

Similarities Between Woodberry And Shah

1004 Words | 5 Pages

Authors’ Seymour Martin Lipset, Robert D. Woodberry, and Timothy S. Shah argue that external conditions like economic development and religious tradition can influence democracy in developing countries. More specifically, Lipset looks at economic factors like wealth, industrialization, urbanization, and education to describe why economic development leads countries to be more democratic; while Woodberry and Shah look at religious pluralism, civil societies, mass education, printing, economic development and corruption to describe why countries are led to become more democratic. In their overall analysis, both find that these external factors played a large role in influencing democracy in that country. For this reason, these arguments are complementary

Read More

US Voting Process Paper

957 Words | 4 Pages

Elections are a democratic process in which citizens cast a vote to elect certain candidates which will represent them and their ideals. Electoral systems are important in promoting democratic governance. The kind of system embraced by every nation could help inhibit or promote governance and stability. Elections are a series of processes that begin from voter registration to the declaration of results. Knowledge of these processes can help provide insight on the opportunities and challenges to be addressed (Griffin & Newman, 2005).

Read More

Different But Equal Basil Davidson Analysis

565 Words | 3 Pages

So Europe invaded Africa, took possession of Africa, and divided Africa into colonies of Europe. The period of invasion, lasting some twenty years, was more or less completed by 1900. There followed a longer period, between sixty and ninety years, of direct European rule, called colonial rule. This was a time of profound upheaval for all of Africa’s peoples. It brought irreversible changes” (4).

Read More

Shillington History Of Africa Chapter 1 Summary

571 Words | 3 Pages

On the surface, Africa is commonly viewed negatively. Here in America there is a stigma held that it is filled with nothing but poverty and malaria. Although many entitled Americans hold this perception of Africa, many of Greece’s aristocracy and army saw the potential of this great land.

Read More

More about Going Within African Elections: Two Divergent Trends

Related Topics

Open Document