Changing Patterns of Politics in Africa

In an attempt at lining out a framework for the debate on pattern changes in African politics, this articles focuses mainly on the structures of interaction on the «national» level. In this perspective, it points out a series of processes common to all of Africa which have been provoking alterations in the original patterns. It lists a number of problem areas important for future research, but does not propose hypotheses for future patterns. This part is complemented by a critical discussion of the attempts at interpreting the political processes in Africa which have to date been made in the social sciences, denouncing their sometimes flagrant inadequacies.Ao tentar enquadrar o debate sobre mudanças nas configurações dos espaços políticos africanos, este artigo concentra-se na estrutura das práticas a nível «nacional». Nesta perspectiva, aponta para um conjunto de processos comuns a toda a África que têm vindo a alterar as constelações iniciais, enuncia uma série de linhas de indagação para a futura investigação, mas não faz previsões quanto a futuras estruturas e práticas. Esta parte é complementada por uma discussão crítica das tentativas de interpretação  dos processos políticos em África, até hoje ensaiadas nas ciências sociais, denunciando as suas inadequações às vezes flagrantes.Dans une tentative de formuler un cadre pour le débat sur les changements survenus dans les constellations des espaces politiques en Afrique, cet article se concentre sur les structures des pratiques au niveau «national». Dans cette perspective, il met en relief un ensemble de processus communs à toute l'Afrique qui ont conduit à des altérations dans les constellations initiales. Il énumère une série de domaines importants pour la recherche à entreprendre, mais ne fait pas de prévisions quant aux constellations à venir. Cette partie est complétée par une discussion critique des tentatives d'interprétation des processus politiques en Afrique qui ont été faits jusqu'ici en sciences sociales, et dénonce le manque parfois flagrant d'adéquation qui les caractérise

The MDGs, Empowerment and Accountability in Africa: Retrospect and Prospects

Although the recognition in the historic Millennium Declaration of 2000 of the centrality of accountable governance to the quest for the advancement of the wellbeing of humankind was not translated into one of the MDGs when they were adopted in 2001, it could still have been legitimately expected that the implementation of the eight objectives that were agreed upon would bring important governance benefits in their own right, especially in the countries that were the main targets of the initiative, many of them in Africa. As it turned out however, the governance impacts of the MDGs have – for various reasons – left much to be desired. Correcting the governance discontents of the MDGs in the quest for a post?2015 global development agenda will require much closer and less donor?dominated attention to the strengthening of the local contexts, institutions, and actors of participation and accountability that are critical to securing and advancing democratic governance

Changing patterns of politics in Africa

Ao tentar enquadrar o debate sobre mudanças nas configurações dos espaços políticos africanos, este artigo concentra-se na estrutura das práticas a nível «nacional». Nesta perspectiva, aponta para um conjunto de processos comuns a toda a África que têm vindo a alterar as constelações iniciais, enuncia uma série de linhas de indagação para a futura investigação, mas não faz previsões quanto a futuras estruturas e práticas. Esta parte é complementada por uma discussão crítica das tentativas de interpretação dos processos políticos em África, até hoje ensaiadas nas ciências sociais, denunciando as suas inadequações às vezes flagrantes.In an attempt at lining out a framework for the debate on pattern changes in African politics, this articles focuses mainly on the structures of interaction on the «national» level. In this perspective, it points out a series of processes common to all of Africa which have been provoking alterations in the original patterns. It lists a number of problem areas important for future research, but does not propose hypotheses for future patterns. This part is complemented by a critical discussion of the attempts at interpreting the political processes in Africa which have to date been made in the social sciences, denouncing their sometimes flagrant inadequacies.Dans une tentative de formuler un cadre pour le débat sur les changements survenus dans les constellations des espaces politiques en Afrique, cet article se concentre sur les structures des pratiques au niveau «national». Dans cette perspective, il met en relief un ensemble de processus communs à toute l'Afrique qui ont conduit à des altérations dans les constellations initiales. Il énumère une série de domaines importants pour la recherche à entreprendre, mais ne fait pas de prévisions quant aux constellations à venir. Cette partie est complétée par une discussion critique des tentatives d'interprétation des processus politiques en Afrique qui ont été faits jusqu'ici en sciences sociales, et dénonce le manque parfois flagrant d'adéquation qui les caractérise

Governance Trends in West Africa 2006: A Synthesis Report : A Synthesis Report

It is hoped that readers of this synthesis report will find it useful as a quick and easily digestible summary of some of the key developments in West Africa that had a direct bearing on governance in the sub-region during 2006