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Briefing paper

BP70: Are democratic citizens emerging in Africa?

Afrobarometer Briefing Paper No. 70
4 May 2009
Download (English)

It has been nearly two decades since many African countries embarked on democratic reforms, the focus of which has understandably been on the introduction and/or reintroduction of formal democratic institutions and processes such as constitutions and multiparty elections. But the argument is often made that it is not possible to have democracy without “democrats.” The purpose of this report is therefore to explore the extent to which Africans are orienting their attitudes and behaviour in the manner expected of citizens in a democratic society. We ask, in short, are “democrats” emerging to enable democracy to thrive in Africa?