THE FALL OF AFRO-MARXISM

In: Journal of democracy, Band 1, Heft 3, S. 92-101

Abstract

AFRICAN ONE-PARTY STATES THAT HAVE EMBRACED SOCIALISM ARE NOW FINDING THEIR SEVERE ECONOMIC WOES COMPOUNDED BY A LACK OF SYMBOLS CAPABLE OF IMPARTING EVEN A VENEER OF POLITICAL LEGITIMACY. THIS ARTICLE EXAMINES THE RISE AND FALL OF MARXIST ECONOMIES, THE PERSISTENCE OF LENINISM, OBSTACLES TO DEMOCRACY, AND THE PROSPECTS FOR DEMOCRATIZATION. IT CONCLUDES THAT THE WEST MUST APPRECIATE THE GREAT DELICACY OF THE POLITICAL CALCULATIONS THAT AFRICAN LEADERS WILL HAVE TO MAKE AS THEY REDESIGN THEIR POLITICAL SYSTEMS; OTHERWISE THERE MAY BE LITTLE PROGRESS TOWARD DEMOCRACY, BUT MUCH DETERIORATION IN THE RELATIONS BETWEEN AFRICA AND THE REST OF THE WORLD.