Is it the end of democracy in Africa? — Nic Cheeseman

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Recent Episodes from In Pursuit of Development

Voices and Votes: Shaping the Democratic Landscape in Africa — Boniface Dulani

The landscape of democracy in Africa is characterized by a dynamic interplay between achievements and obstacles, particularly as the continent approaches a pivotal year with numerous elections scheduled in 2024. Countries such as South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, and Senegal are preparing for electoral contests, underscoring a persistent belief in the electoral system as a legitimate means to select leaders and representatives. Despite this faith in democracy, there is widespread disenchantment with the efficacy and fairness of the electoral process, highlighted by incidents of voter fraud and judicial rulings overturning elections. Concerns about democracy also extend to the debate on presidential term limits and the apparent unwillingness of some incumbents to vacate office. Insights from Afrobarometer surveys reveal the African public’s priorities and concerns, emphasizing issues like unemployment, economic stewardship, and healthcare. These survey findings illustrate a clear demand for democratic governance amidst dissatisfaction with how democracy currently operates, particularly in relation to corruption. Yet, amidst these challenges, there exists a sense of optimism about the future of democracy in Africa. This optimism is fueled by the continent's resilient civil society, the transformative potential of its young population, and examples of successful democratic transitions, suggesting a pathway towards more effective and representative governance.

Boniface Dulani is an Associate Professor of Political science at the University of Malawi. He is also the Director of Surveys for the Afrobarometer, a pan African network of researchers who conduct surveys on governance, economy, and livelihoods. @IPORMalawi

Resources:

Key highlights

Introduction – 00:24
Democratic gains and reversals on the African continent – 04:30
Reduction in political freedoms in exchange for development – 11:00
The most important problems in 39 countries – 21:25
Pervasive corruption and challenges in reporting corruption across various institutions – 40:15
What we can expect from the coming round of elections in Africa – 52:10

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enMarch 06, 2024

Democracy in the Balance: Navigating Latin America's Political Landscape — Gerardo Munck

The political landscape of Latin America has undergone major transformation since the democratization wave of the 1980s and 1990s. During this time, most democracies in the region have managed to persist, albeit with a few notable exceptions. However, the quality of these democracies has often been questioned. Guillermo O’Donnell's characterization of Latin American democracies as "strange and flawed yet surviving" aptly captures this scenario.

In Latin American Politics and Society: A Comparative and Historical Analysis, Gerardo Munck and Juan Pablo Luna argue that while Latin American countries have stabilized democratic systems, the journey towards a fully democratized society remains incomplete, as evidenced by the breakdown of democracy in some parts of the region. Various factors have contributed to the state of democracy in contemporary Latin America. The challenges facing democracy in the region range from the impact of neoliberal economic policies to the influence of external powers like the United States, the role of dominant elites, political culture, state weakness, and corruption. The growing phenomenon of populist leaders such as Nayib Bukele in El Salvador and Javier Milei in Argentina forms a crucial part of our discussion. While scrutinizing the policies of these leaders and their implications for democracy, we also examine the complexities of political inclusion in Latin American societies, including the role of women, indigenous peoples, Afro-descendants, and ordinary citizens in Latin American democracies. As scholars often point to the persistent crisis of representation in Latin American politics, it is important to explore the relationship between citizens and politicians, and the role of the judiciary in this dynamic. And although there are major shortcomings in providing equal access to political office for all societal groups, there has also been progress in some areas such as the introduction of gender quotas. A particularly important ongoing debate relates to what is considered the most effective development models for the region.

Gerardo Munck is a professor of political science and international relations at the University of Southern California. His research focuses on democracy and democratization, state capacity, Latin America, and methodology. He has also worked on the evolution of social science knowledge. @GerardoMunck

Key highlights

Introduction – 00:24
Latin America has made progress on easy problems, but failed to resolve hard problems – 03:32
What accounts for the state of democracy today – 10:26
The dilemmas of democracy in unequal societies – 20:58
Political inclusion and political innovations – 29:12
Democracy and development – 37:35

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enFebruary 28, 2024

The Globalization of Finance and Its Impact on State Building — Didac Queralt

An increasing number of countries are struggling with rising debt and facing defaults. A recent World Bank report revealed that developing countries paid a record $443.5 billion in 2022 to service their public debts, a situation exacerbated by surging global interest rates and a strong U.S. dollar. This debt servicing cost represents a 5% increase from the previous year, with warnings of more challenges ahead for the world’s poorest nations. Therefore, it is crucial to gain a deeper understanding of which forms of globalized finance are more effective in fostering development. This episode focuses on the prize-winning book Pawned States: State Building in the Era of International Finance, which examines the consequences of early access to external finance for long-term state capacity. In the 19th century, developing countries frequently sought loans from European credit houses to manage their finances and cope with war. While this external financing provided opportunities for growth, it often allowed leaders of these borrower states to skip essential steps in developing institutions and making political systems more inclusive. "Pawned States" illustrates how this reliance on early foreign loans has resulted in persistent fiscal instability and diminished governmental effectiveness in the developing world.

Didac Queralt is an assistant professor of political science at Yale University, who studies historical causes of modern-day fiscal institutions. @DidacQueralt

Key highlights

Introduction – 00:24
Rising public debt in the Global South – 03:56
Conditionality and the international financial architecture – 10:12
Access to international finance in the 19th century– 18:22
Borrower motives and ability to pay back loans – 24:12
Lender strategies – 31:13
Success stories: Japan and Chile – 35:08
Argentina and Ethiopia – 40:40
Lessons for modern states– 44:08

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enFebruary 21, 2024

The Genesis of the Human Development Report and Index — Meghnad Desai

The landscape of development theory, measurement, and policy was transformed in 1990 with the publication of the first Human Development Report by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). This report also introduced the Human Development Index, which is a summary measure of average achievement in 3 key dimensions of human development: life expectancy at birth, literacy and income. In 1981, Amartya Sen published a paper titled "Public action and the quality of life in developing countries", discussing global advancements in quality-of-life metrics such as longevity and literacy despite rising poverty in some areas. Sen highlighted the significant variance in progress among countries, examining how public policies influenced improvements in these indicators. His research on human capabilities, stressing the need for equitable opportunities and choices for everyone, also significantly contributed to the concept of human development. The noted Pakistani economist Mahbub ul Haq shared Sen’s vision of focusing on human capabilities and well-being and moving beyond GDP in the pursuit of development.Haq also pioneered the practical application of the human development approach by introducing the Human Development Index.

Both Sen and Haq were aided in this effort by Meghnad Desai, who taught economics from 1965 to 2003 at the London School of Economics, where he now holds the post of Professor Emeritus. Professor Desai has authored numerous books, the most recent being The Poverty of Political Economy: How Economics Abandoned the Poor (2022). He is also a member of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Meghnad Desai at a conference in New Delhi, titled “Advancing Human Development in the Global South”. In this conversation, he highlights the shift in development metrics from traditional economic indicators to a more holistic approach that includes longevity, education, and income, explaining how this led to a transformative ranking system for countries and influenced international development policy. Our conversation took place outside the conference hall, on a chilly January day, amidst the hustle and bustle of traffic and fellow conference attendees. As I used my phone to record our discussion, you might find the sound quality less than ideal. However, I believe the insights shared by Meghnad Desai about the origins of the human development concept will more than compensate for any audio shortcomings.

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enFebruary 14, 2024

Global Structural Reform: Poverty, Freedom, Justice, and Innovation — Thomas Pogge

We explore the idea that the gravest deficits in freedom are intrinsically linked to poverty, impacting individuals and nations worldwide. We also examine the global innovation regime's crucial role in shaping progress and human development. International impact funds encourage and reward innovations based on their social benefits, potentially revolutionizing the current innovation regime. Towards the end of the conversation, we briefly discuss the work of John Rawls and the theory of justice as fairness, which describes a society of free citizens holding equal basic rights and cooperating within an egalitarian economic system.

Thomas Pogge is the Leitner Professor of Philosophy and International Affairs at Yale University. He has has authored many influential books on cosmopolitanism, global justice, and extreme poverty. @ThomasPogge

Resources:

Key highlights

Introduction – 00:24
The poverty-freedom relationship – 03:12
Is poverty a violation of human rights? – 06:52
The urgency of development finance – 19:19
Innovation and impact funds – 27:50
Profits, patents, and incentives – 39:42
Global justice and solidarity with strangers – 47:00
John Rawls and a global theory of justice – 51:52

To ensure you never miss an episode of In Pursuit of Development, please make sure to subscribe to our podcast, rate us to support the show, and share this episode within your networks. Your engagement helps us bring more insightful content to you and keeps the conversation going.

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sustainable development goals

enFebruary 07, 2024

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The Future of Industrialization – Jostein Hauge

Few events have transformed society as profoundly as the Industrial Revolution. The introduction of the factory system not only revolutionized the production landscape but also reshaped the social and economic contours of nations. This transformation was marked by the birth of industries such as textiles, iron, and glass-making, which catapulted productivity and altered every facet of daily life, setting the stage for modern civilization. However, the bastions of industrialization are not impervious to change.

Jostein Hauge is a political economist and Assistant Professor in Development Studies at the University of Cambridge, based at the Centre of Development Studies and the Department of Politics and International Studies. In a new book – The Future of the Factory: How Megatrends are Changing Industrialization – he advocates for adaptive, forward-looking industrial strategies that are attuned to the realities of the 21st century. He argues that the current era is characterized by four 'megatrends' or significant shifts in technology, economy, society, and ecology that are collectively redefining the essence and trajectory of industrialization. These trends are challenging the conventional wisdom of manufacturing-led growth and industrial strategies. From the rise of service economies and digital automation to the complex web of global production networks and the pressing imperatives of ecological sustainability, these megatrends demand a reevaluation of the future of factories and the very notion of industrial development. @haugejostein

Key highlights

Introduction – 00:24
Industrialization, factories, and wellbeing – 03:56
Labor conditions in global production networks – 09:27
Devising a good industrial strategy – 14:01
The role of manufacturing – 24:14
Automation and the fear of mass unemployment – 29:35
Global governance and leveling the playing field – 38:03
Industrial strategies in an age of ecological breakdown – 41:53

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enJanuary 31, 2024

Development as a Right: Unpacking Principles and Practices — Surya Deva

The right to development enables individuals and communities to actively participate in and benefit from various forms of development — economic, social, cultural, and political — while ensuring their human rights and freedoms. It involves a range of responsibilities, including the roles of states, multinational companies, NGOs, businesses, and educational institutions. Central to this right are principles of self-determination, intersectionality, intergenerational equity, and fair distribution, aiming for inclusive, diverse, and sustainable development. The shift towards a rights-based development framework is evident in initiatives like the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Bridgetown Initiative. Additionally, the role of businesses in this context is guided by frameworks like the UN Global Compact and the Business and Human Rights Guiding Principles, moving beyond the traditional "do no harm" approach. Despite its significance, the right to development faces challenges and legal critiques regarding its implementation and necessity.

Surya Deva is the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to development and a Professor of Law and Director of the Centre for Environmental Law at Macquarie University, Australia. @ProfSuryaDeva @UNSRdevelopment

Resources:

Declaration on the right to development (1986)
Reinvigorating the right to development: A vision for the future (report submitted to the Human Rights Council, August 2023)
Role of business in realizing the right to development (July 2023)

Key highlights

Introduction – 00:24
The right to development and its added value– 03:46
The value of binding conventions versus non-binding declarations– 09:25
Why the judiciary often prioritizes civil and political rights – 15:16
Legalization of the right and the role of the courts in upholding binding conventions– 26:18
Has the definition of the right to development been overly broadened or inflated? – 31:31
The Global North perspective and the role of businesses – 40:23

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enJanuary 24, 2024

Shifting Paradigms: The Global South and Feminist Political Economy Unveiled — Sara Stevano

The term "Global South" has seen an exponential rise in both academic discourse and international policy dialogues, having evolved from a mere synonym for the “Third World” to a complex geo-historical concept. In the first part of this episode, we critically analyze the utility and limitations of the term, acknowledging the diverse economic, political, and cultural realities it attempts to encapsulate. In the second section, we unpack how feminist political economy scrutinizes the power relations underlying production and consumption, challenges the fictitious separation of economic realms from the social, political, and cultural spheres, and highlights the gendered nature of economic inequalities. We explore the critical themes of social reproduction, care economies, labor market inequalities, and the household as a site of gendered power dynamics, all while considering the intersectionality of gender, race, and class.

Sara Stevano is a Senior Lecturer in Economics at SOAS University of London. Sara’s areas of expertise include the political economy of work, food and nutrition, inequalities and social reproduction. Her recent book with Sara Cantillon and Odile Mackett is Feminist Political Economy. A Global Perspective. @SaraStevano @SOAS

Key highlights

Introduction – 00:24
The utility and limitations of the term the "Global South"– 03:58
The term "Global South" often comes under criticism for several reasons– 10:12
The added value of feminist political economy approaches – 16:36
The feminization of poverty – 21:06
The complex relations between gender, growth, and poverty – 26:46
The global care chain and the double burden – 34:20
Feminist political economy and climate change – 44:54

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enJanuary 17, 2024

Beyond Trade: China's Cultural and Political Relations in Africa – Joshua Eisenman

China's burgeoning relationship with the African continent has been characterized by significant economic investment, trade, and infrastructure development, with China emerging as Africa's largest trading partner and a major player in the continent's evolving economic landscape. In recent years, we have seen an influx of Chinese involvement in African industries ranging from mining and construction to manufacturing and retail. This has been accompanied by an ambitious drive to develop Africa's infrastructure with projects that span roads, railways, ports, airports, and telecommunications networks. But the ties between China and Africa extend far beyond economics. We're witnessing a dynamic cultural exchange, burgeoning diplomatic activities, and even aid and military support. However, these activities have not been without controversy, igniting debates over so-called debt-trap diplomacy and resource exploitation.

Joshua Eisenman is an Associate Professor of Politics in the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame. His research focuses on the political economy of China’s development and foreign relations with the United States and the Global South —particularly Africa. Together with David Shinn, Josh has recently co-authored a new book entitled: China’s Relations with Africa: A New Era of Strategic Engagement. @Joshua_Eisenman

Key highlights

Introduction – 00:24
China and an alternative world order – 03:20
The quest for soft power – 10:40
Debt burdens and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) – 15:10
Revamping the BRI – 18:11
Why “debt-trap diplomacy” is misleading – 24:10
China’s growing relational power - 30:14
Increasing the voice of the Global South – 39:57
New forms of Chinese multilateralism – 45:53

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