Consolidating democracy in Ghana

Progress and Prospects

Bibliographic Data

ID6252829
AuthorsAbdul-Gafaru Abdulai (0000-0001-6383-035X, Institute of Development Studies), Gordon Crawford (0000-0002-5705-9893, University of Leeds)
Year2010
Volume17
Issue1
Pages26-67
Publication date2010-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueDemocratization (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1351-0347 • E-ISSN: 1743-890X
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13510340903453674
OpenAlexW2071633881
LanguageEN
Citations received32
References cited29

In the light of the successful and peaceful outcome of the December 2008 elections in Ghana, inclusive of the second transfer of power between political parties since the return to democratic rule in 1992, this paper considers whether Ghana can now be regarded as a consolidated democracy. To undertake this assessment, Linz and Stepan's multidimensional framework of democratic consolidation is adopted, and their three dimensions and five arenas of democratic consolidation are explored. Findings demonstrate that although significant progress has been made towards democratic consolidation in Ghana, there are aspects of consolidation that remain weak. Thus it would be premature to state that democratic consolidation has been achieved in Ghana. With regard to the prospects for sustained consolidation, the closeness that Ghana came to political violence during the fraught election period is highlighted, indicating a latent threat to future democratic stability. Additionally, a number of constraints and challenges are identified in various arenas of consolidation, inclusive of the limited policy influence of civil society organizations, the marginalization of women, excessive executive/presidential powers, the adverse impact of external actors on democratic sovereignty, and the implications for democratic sustainability of a continued failure to address gross socio-economic inequalities. Without addressing such issues, Ghana's democratic gains may turn out to be a rather hollow triumph

Consolidation (business · Democracy · Democratic consolidation · Democratization · Development economics · Economics · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Presidential system · Sociology · Sovereignty · African studies and sociopolitical issues · International Development and Aid · Law · Political Conflict and Governance · Public Administration

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