The Liberal Model and Africa

This book critically examines the realities of liberal democracy; its elitism and non-accountability; and its inequalities and injustices. Participatory systems and movements, whether in Athens, seventeenth and nineteenth century England, or South Africa 1970-1990, are more effective in satisfying the democratic aspirations of the people and in curtailing ambitious elites, than what is passed off now as 'democracy'. By interrogating contemporary democratic regimes, in the United States, and in Botswana and South Africa, the severe limitations and constraints inherent in liberal democracy are highlighted. The need for a clear evaluation of what constituted democracy emerges as a powerful message of Kenneth Good's argument.

KENNETH GOOD is Professor of Political Studies at the University of Botswana, Gaborone. His publications include Development and Dependence: The Political Economy of Papua New Guinea (with Amarshi and Mortimer), Articulated Agricultural Development (with Donaldson) and Realizing Democracy in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. He has also contributed articles to several journals.

'The Liberal Model and Africa: Elites Against Democracy delivers a searching, powerful and innovative critique of liberal democracy, notably as it has arrived in Southern Africa.' - Professor Roger Southall, Department of Politics, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa 'This is indeed a useful and timely contribution to the democracy debate in Africa.' - Dr Francis B. Nyamnjoh, Senior Lecturer, Department of Sociology, University of Botswana '[Kenneth Good] illustrates in this important book, no country (with the exception of Madagascar) has embraced participatory democracy with its egalitarian face, preferring instead the elitism of the liberal model.' - The Sunday Independent