Restraining executive power in Africa
Horizontal accountability in Africa's hybrid regimes
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 5937532 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Oda Van Cranenburgh (Leiden University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2009 |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 49-68 |
| Publication date | 2009-04-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | South African Journal of International Affairs (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1022-0461 • E-ISSN: 1938-0275 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/10220460902986230 |
| OpenAlex | W1991047836 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 13 |
| References cited | 22 |
This article presents an overview of African regime types and the limits on restraining executive power, institutionally as well as through party politics. Particular attention is given to the lack of separation between the legislative and executive branch of government in most African countries and the great powers assigned to presidents. Both issues imply a lack of possibilities to hold the executive accountable, or what O'Donnell called ‘horizontal accountability’. Moreover, the pattern of one-party dominance, which can be related in part to concurrent elections for the presidency and parliament, strengthens executive power and implies a low incidence of government coalitions. The analysis points to the limits of existing constitutional instruments to restrain executive power, such as censure, impeachment and presidential term limits. The author argues that donors should use their considerable agenda power to assist local pressures for reform
Accountability · Divided government · Economics · Executive branch · Executive power · Impeachment · Legislature · Parliament · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Presidency · Presidential system · Separation of powers · International Development and Aid · Judicial and Constitutional Studies · Law · Political Conflict and Governance · Public Administration
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| Unique citing works | 13 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,87 |
| Citation span | 2011 - 2025 (15) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 12 |