ELECTIONS AND REPRESENTATIVE RULE IN AFRICA: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF NIGERIA'S 2007 AND GHANA'S 2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

📄 Project Abstract

There are different conceptions of democracy and their diverse practices produce a similarly varied set of effects. The specific form democracy takes is contingent upon a country's socioeconomic conditions or social production relations as well as its entrenched state structures and policy practices. Classical democracies presumed decision making based on direct participation. The assembled citizenry was expected to agree on a common course of action after listening to the alternatives and weighing their respective merits and demerits. Democracy or liberal democracy has been described as government by persons freely chosen by the governed who hold them accountable and responsible for their actions while in government through election. Elections, it is important to note, are not only meant to ensure, confirm or re-affirm the legitimacy of the governors through a regular consent, but also provide a fertile ground for liberal democracy or representative rule to thrive and be consolidated....