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African Democracy: Challenges and Opportunities
Explore the dynamics of democratic development in contemporary Africa through expert insights and analysis.
Explore the dynamics of democratic development in contemporary Africa through expert insights and analysis.
This course offers a comprehensive examination of democratic governance in Africa, focusing on the remarkable political transformation that has occurred across the continent over the past two decades. Led by MIT Professor Evan Lieberman and featuring insights from over 50 African experts, the course provides a multifaceted view of African democracy. Students will explore the historical context of African political development, including the impacts of slavery and colonialism, and analyze the transition to democratic systems. The curriculum covers key aspects of democratic functioning, including citizen engagement, institutional design, accountability mechanisms, and the role of the judiciary in expanding human rights. The course also examines how new technologies are reshaping political participation. By combining academic analysis with firsthand perspectives from African politicians, academics, and civil society leaders, students gain a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing African democracies today.
Instructors:
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What you'll learn
Analyze the impact of historical legacies on contemporary African political systems
Evaluate the diversity and interests of African citizens in democratic contexts
Understand various democratic institutional designs and their effects in African countries
Assess accountability mechanisms and their influence on service delivery in Africa
Examine the role of the judiciary in expanding human rights in African democracies
Explore the impact of digital technologies on political participation in Africa
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
Live video
Graded assignments, exams
Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop
Limited Access access
Shareable certificate
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There are 7 modules in this course
This course provides a comprehensive overview of democratic development in contemporary Africa. It covers the historical context of African political systems, the transition to democracy, and the current challenges and opportunities facing African democracies. Key topics include the impact of colonial legacies, the diversity of African citizenry, institutional designs in African democracies, accountability and service delivery, the role of the judiciary in expanding human rights, and the impact of digital technologies on democratic participation. The course combines theoretical frameworks from political science with practical insights from African experts, offering students a rich understanding of the complexities of African democratic systems. Through case studies and expert interviews, students will gain a nuanced perspective on how democratic institutions are shaping African societies and contributing to human development.
Introduction
Module 1
From Difficult Legacies to Democratization
Module 2
The African Citizenry: Diversity, Public Opinion and Civil Society
Module 3
Understanding the Rules of the Game: Institutions in African Democracies
Module 4
Accountability and Service Delivery
Module 5
The Expanding Role of Human Rights and the Judiciary
Module 6
Digital Democracy
Module 7
Fee Structure
Instructor
Distinguished Political Scientist Advancing African Democracy Research
Evan Lieberman serves as the Total Professor of Political Science and Contemporary Africa at MIT, where he also directs the Center for International Studies and the Global Diversity Lab. His research examines the complex dynamics of democratic governance, ethnic politics, and development in sub-Saharan Africa. After earning degrees from Princeton University and UC Berkeley, followed by a Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellowship at Yale, he has established himself as a leading voice in comparative politics. His influential work includes groundbreaking research on how ethnic politics shape government responses to public health crises, climate adaptation, and service delivery. As author of significant works including "Until We Have Won Our Liberty: South Africa after Apartheid" (2022), "Boundaries of Contagion," and "Race and Regionalism in the Politics of Taxation in Brazil and South Africa," he has contributed fundamental insights to our understanding of governance in diverse societies
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