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The Beautiful Ones Are Born: Consolidation of Democracy in South Africa and Ghana

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The Role of Civil Society in Africa’s Quest for Democratization

Part of the book series: Advances in African Economic, Social and Political Development ((AAESPD,volume 5))

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Abstract

Writing in the 1960s, the Ghanaian novelist Ayi Kwei Armah wrote about postcolonial failure and the frustration and disillusionment that followed in his home country Ghana and all over the rest of Africa. In the book, which is set in a fictional country, a coup that overthrows a corrupt system gives the protagonist hope that the new people would make things right, that the new ones would be born, only to be frustrated. Like the protagonist in this plot, much of Africa had hoped only to be frustrated. It might have taken a couple of more coups, followed by more new beginnings and births. But finally the beautiful ones are finally born. In this chapter, we look at Africa’s beautiful ones that have overcome the weight of history and continue to radiate hope that democratization is around the corner. The chapter follows the journey of two countries, South Africa and Ghana, that have successfully transitioned to democracy and have consolidated their democratic gains.

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    Abadir M. Ibrahim

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Ibrahim, A.M. (2015). The Beautiful Ones Are Born: Consolidation of Democracy in South Africa and Ghana. In: The Role of Civil Society in Africa’s Quest for Democratization. Advances in African Economic, Social and Political Development, vol 5. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18383-1_4

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