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Civil Society in Africa: Interrogating the Role of Pentecostal Christianity in Africa’s Democratization and Development Processes

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Contemporary Issues in African Society

Part of the book series: African Histories and Modernities ((AHAM))

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Abstract

This chapter probes the issue of the extent to which Pentecostal churches in Africa as civic associations contribute to the process of democratization on the continent. According to the findings, overall, Pentecostal churches have, and continue to make negative contributions to the democratization process in Africa. This is because the internal governance systems of the Pentecostal churches are, by and large, an anathema to democracy. For example, the chapter argues that the Pentecostal ideology in Africa is anti-democratic. Also, the decision-making process that anchors governance is authoritarian. Another drawback is that there is a culture of a lack of accountability. Finally, open and frank discussions are not tolerated.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, Bethel University, Saint Paul, MN, USA

    Samuel Zalanga

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  1. Samuel Zalanga
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of West Georgia, Carrollton, Georgia, USA

    George Klay Kieh, Jr.

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Zalanga, S. (2018). Civil Society in Africa: Interrogating the Role of Pentecostal Christianity in Africa’s Democratization and Development Processes. In: Kieh, Jr., G. (eds) Contemporary Issues in African Society. African Histories and Modernities. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49772-3_3

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