Dictators and Democracy in African Development
The Political Economy of Good Governance in Nigeria
£19.99
Part of African Studies
- Author: A. Carl LeVan, American University, Washington DC
- Date Published: July 2016
- availability: Available
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9781107440951
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What are the conditions for good governance in Africa, and why do many democracies still struggle with persistent poverty? Drawing on a historical study of Nigeria since independence, this book argues that the structure of the policy-making process explains variations in government performance better than other commonly cited factors, such as oil, colonialism, ethnic diversity, foreign debt, and dictatorships. The author links the political structure of the policy process to patterns of government performance over half a century to show that the key factor is not simply the status of the regime as a dictatorship or a democracy, but rather it is the structure of the policy-making process by which different policy demands are included or excluded. By identifying political actors with the leverage to prevent policy change and extract concessions, empirical tests demonstrate how these 'veto players' systematically affect the performance of two broad categories of public policy. This Madisonian dilemma has important implications for African countries struggling with the institutional trade-offs presented by different regimes.
Read more- An account of Nigeria's government record since independence
- The author weaves together empirical analysis, narrative history, and new comparative concepts from political science
- Uses data based on extensive field research
Reviews & endorsements
'… while LeVVan's original, sophisticated and dense study will mostly appeal to postgraduate students and established scholars researching Nigeria, it also has much to offer those working in the fields of democratisation and comparative politics. This is an important and commendable book.' J. N. C. Hill, The Journal of Modern African Studies
See more reviews'Dictators and Democracy in African Development merits much praise for its concentration on veto players, which augments a critical new component to scholars' understanding of the political economy of third world countries.' Enock Ndawana, Democratization
Customer reviews
22nd Apr 2016 by Drkhan
The thesis of the book is very much relevant in terms of African Politics and Society. It will help to understand the currents, cross currents and under currents between two established political ideologies 'Democracy and Dictatorship'. I would be writing a review of this book once it is available for inspection. Dr. Aslam Khan Associate Professor & Head YSU, Nigeria.
Review was not posted due to profanity
×Product details
- Date Published: July 2016
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9781107440951
- length: 308 pages
- dimensions: 228 x 152 x 20 mm
- weight: 0.47kg
- contains: 4 b/w illus. 7 tables
- availability: Available
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. A theory of institutions, preferences, and performance
2. Veto players in Nigeria's political history since independence
3. The impact of Nigeria's veto players on local and national collective goods
4. Analytic equivalents in Ghana and Zimbabwe
5. Madison's model unbound.
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