Faleye, Olukayode A. and Onyango, Gedion 
ORCID: 0000-0003-4984-2906
(2025)
Framing the intertwined history of African democratisation and autocracy.
In:
Democratic Recession, Autocratic Resurgence and The Future of Governance in Africa.
Taylor and Francis, pp. 12-29.
ISBN 9781032907765
Abstract
There has been a tendency to present an externalised understanding of democracy, autocracy, and democratisation approaches in Africa. The conventional body of knowledge and governance frameworks developed from these perspectives have gradually produced misleading narratives that have mischaracterised and delegitimised democratic reforms in the region. There is no doubt that the consequences have proven counterproductive in identifying fit-to-context approaches and respect for local norms that would foster the localisation of democratic systems. This chapter argues that despite challenges with overcoming colonial legacies, democracy and autocracy are inherent aspects of African society, much like in other regions of the world. It explores the trend of democratisation and autocracy in Africa and highlights democracy as a contentious theme within the sociopolitical discourse on the continent. While there is an increasing scholarly interest in the democratisation of Africa, there is still a significant gap in the literature concerning the African origins of democracy and their influence on the decolonisation of post-colonial politics in the region. In this context, this chapter seeks to conceptually decolonise the African democratisation discourse through a historical analysis of political transitions in the region. It will illuminate the ongoing dialogue between democracy and autocracy in Africa over time.
| Item Type: | Book Section |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | © 2025 selection and editorial matter, Olukayode A. Faleye, Gedion Onyango, Kaderi N. Bukari and Inocent Moyo. |
| Divisions: | Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa |
| Subjects: | J Political Science D History General and Old World > DT Africa |
| Date Deposited: | 08 Dec 2025 17:30 |
| Last Modified: | 08 Dec 2025 17:30 |
| URI: | http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/130489 |
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