Democracy and Elections in Africa

This study examines the relationship between elections and the development of democracy in sub-Saharan Africa. Utilizing a unique dataset of 232 African elections, the research challenges existing hypotheses by demonstrating that repeated elections, even flawed ones, tend to improve democratic qualities over time. The analysis reveals a positive correlation between successive electoral cycles and increased participation, competition, and legitimacy, both within the electoral process and in broader society. The findings suggest that the act of holding elections, regardless of initial conditions, creates incentives for political liberalization and fosters the expansion of democratic norms. This work offers a nuanced understanding of democratization in Africa, emphasizing the causal power of elections themselves.

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