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The Future of Internal Political Transformation in African States

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Africa Toward 2030

Part of the book series: Rethinking International Development Series ((RID))

Abstract

This chapter examines how internal political change within African states might influence future development prospects on the African continent. It begins with a brief exploration of the linkages between political development and welfare improvement. Then, recognising that political change can be considered a development outcome in its own right and not simply a variable affecting development outcomes, the chapter discusses some of the most important factors that influence the nature of systems of governance in African countries, namely ethnicity and customary rule. In order to speculate on different ways that the political landscape in Africa could change over the long term, the chapter also identifies key uncertainties related to political development before outlining several descriptions of possible political futures of African states.

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  1. Stefan Meyer
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  1. German Development Institute, Germany

    Erik Lundsgaarde (Senior Researcher) (Senior Researcher)

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© 2012 Stefan Meyer/German Development Institute

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Meyer, S. (2012). The Future of Internal Political Transformation in African States. In: Lundsgaarde, E. (eds) Africa Toward 2030. Rethinking International Development Series. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230362154_7

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