Is western democracy compatible to the nature of contemporary African states? A comparison specific to Ghana 1981 to present, 1997

This study examined the philosophical foundations ofwestern democracy and the observable political tendencies ofmodem African nations. This study was based on the premise that by identifying three variables for both western democracy and African politics and comparing them to each other, the compatibility and future for western democracy in Africa could be determined. A case study analysis approach was used to gather empirical evidence of the political nature of a particular African nation. The researcher found that in each instance these variables were incompatible given the political development of African states. The nature ofAfrican politics were found unsuitable to host the first two variables used to define western democracy whereas the third variable did exist but in a wholly different political mindset. The conclusions drawn reflect the findings of incompatibility and assert that for democracy to take hold in Africa the three variables ofwestern democracy would have to give way to a new political construct indigenous to Africa based on its contemporary reality and founded on its pre-colonial history