This book offers an authoritative study of election observation in
Africa and its relation with democratization processes. Election
observation is a hotly debated issue in contemporary international
relations and in political science. It is seen by donor- countries and
the international community as a means to enhance democratization, but
has been controversial with regard to the `mandates' of the observers,
the cases of its misappropriation by authoritarian governments and its
masking of other donor-country interests. The book addresses fundamental
issues of elections and democrat-ization in Africa, evaluation policies
and implementation, as well as the historical backgrounds. A range of
case studies leads to new interpretations, which challenge previous
empiricist accounts of election observation in Africa. Greater attention
to historical and cultural context is required than has been present in
previous, somewhat prescriptive accounts. An interdisciplinary approach
gives fair coverage of the historical, political and cultural issues
involved in elections and election observation in Africa. Key examples
of the interface between election observation and democratization
processes in various important countries in Africa are presented,
linking an analysis of policies and practice. The book contributes to
topical debates on the dilemmas and challenges of 'good governance' and
on the varieties of democracy as a global phenomenon.
