Books, journal contributions and articles by Professor Julius O. Ihonvbere
Books
Multiparty Democracy and Political Change: Constraints to Democratization in Africa
First published in 1998, This book is written by seasoned scholars of African Studies and it intended to make a significant contribution to the debate on democracy and democratization in the continent.
It contains a rich mixture of analytical ideas and views on the transition to accountable, participatory, and democratic governance structures in Africa. It provides both students of African political economy and policymakers in the continent and in-depth analysis of the post-independence experience of African countries with institutional reforms.
Specifically, it looks at the struggles of Africans, since independence, to provide themselves with more appropriate and viable governance structures and economic systems that enhance the ability to entrepreneurs to create wealth. The Book breaks new ground in that it places significant emphasis on the reconstruction of the neo-colonial state as an important first step to a successful transition to democratic and more accountable governance structures.
Africa and the New World Order (Society and Politics in Africa)
Africa and the New World Order examines the role of Africa in the emerging complex and competitive global division of labor. Anchored on a dialectical discussion of Africa’s historical experience, this study examines postcolonial realignment of economic and political forces, the debt crisis, human rights, the crisis of regionalism, and the constraints to democratic transitions and consolidation. It also provides a detailed discussion of Africa and the current globalization process.
Political Liberalization and Democratization in Africa: Lessons from Country Experiences
Since the late 1980s, Africans have been engaged in efforts to transform their societies and provide themselves with more effective governance and economic structures. Unfortunately, most of these efforts have not progressed beyond simple elections. The contributors to this volume provide strategies that Africans can use to deepen democracy, improve resource allocation, and enhance their ability to coexist peacefully.
Nigeria: The Politics of Adjustment and Democracy
Nigeria is in a long-standing crisis. Military rule has suffocated civil society and has entrenched a culture of repression, corruption, and official irresponsibility. The reign of Ibrahim Babangida has resulted in near total economic disaster for the country. The situation is so bad, as Julius Ihonvbere shows, that Nigerians are now saying that the days of colonialism were better.
In this major new study, Ihonvbere searches out the sources of Nigeria’s predicament. He finds them in the country’s historical experience, and the consequences of that experience since gaining political independence.
This work examines several critical, but often overlooked or under-researched aspects of Nigeria’s political economy. Ihonvbere analyzes in detail Nigeria’s foreign policy, its economic crisis, the military, the decay of its educational system, and democratization.
He pays particular attention to the paradoxical connection between IMF/World Bank-supervised structural adjustment and the struggle for democracy. His book will be of interest to experts hi socioeconomic development, foreign policy analysts, students of military science, and scholars of African politics and history.
Africa in the Contemporary International Disorder: Crisis and Possibilities
This timely and important book deals with the post-Cold War African situation. It probes the problems of African development and strategies for development in the contemporary international order and disorder.
The articles in this collection analyze the politics and economics of African states. The majority of these articles were collected from papers that were presented in 1993 and 1994 at Springfield College during the first and second Conferences on Africa.
The authors come from diverse academic backgrounds. Their detailed and insightful explorations provide original contributions to contemporary African studies. This enlightening collection will provide students with an objective understanding of Africa today.
The book will serve as an excellent text for graduate courses covering African politics, economics and society.
The Transition to Democratic Governance in Africa
Africa is currently experiencing sociopolitical and economic changes of unprecedented proportions. New leaders, institutions, discourses, and methods of political organization and action are shaping a new future.
Through a case-study approach, this essay collection provides a comprehensive analysis of the history, trajectory, actors, institutions, contradictions, failures, and opportunities in contemporary efforts at democratization in Africa. While presenting the dynamics of democracy and democratization in several African countries, they also look at critical issues in Africa’s transition projects from political parties and elections through constitutions and constitutionalism to new structures of power and politics.
A provocative analysis for scholars, students, researchers, and policy makers involved with African political and economic development