This is really the best overview of democracy in Africa
355362
This is really the best overview of democracy in Africa. You'll find both historical and contemporary perspectives on the subject, covering a wide swath of Africa. I think it strikes the right balance between theory and case studies. I think the book could have gone more into local democratic practices and how democracy connects to such issues as gender and popular culture, but otherwise it's a good survey of the subject.
2616311
At a period when western governments have repeatedly attempted to impose versions of their own democracy throughout the world, with varying degrees of success, Dr Julie Fisher's timely and well-conceived study of the process of democratization in action offers an exemplary guide to what is involved and suggests possible routes to success. Accessible and notably wide-ranging, it provides both general discussion and three fascinating case studies of familiar and less familiar countries: Argentina, South Africa and Tajikistan. Written in a clear and attractive style, this is the best guide to an important subject known to me. Warmly recommended.
739283
This book did it for me!! It honestly sheds light on the life of an African coming to the states for university (a common trend in Nigeria). There are so many new things you are exposed to. I especially like the fact that the writer touches on issues of depression and how Africans are not open to the acceptance of its existence. It's always considered a white man's disease.
But mostly, I love the relationship issues in nigeria. And how marriages are regarded in our society. I love this book.
This book is really for the young Africans who come to America and see a new side of life. The ones who struggle to discover who they really are while trying not to abandon what they are. The young Africans living underground with no papers in the western world. And for those who see their fruends back home enjoying life (supposedly). The ones who try to move back home. It's about trying to figure out where U belong when u are raised in Africa but have learned life lessons in Anerica or England, etc. It really hits home for so many ppl.
I don't think this book is for history or just reading pleasure. It's for those who can relate and feel isolated when they are at home and abroad because they really don't fit in anywhere anymore. It's for us
514921
I was born in South Africa towards the end of apartheid.  I live in the U.S. now, and so of course have never covered South Africa or apartheid in any high school or college course.  Eager to learn more about my mother-country and its prophet, I picked up Mandela's famous autobiography.

Having never read an autobiography before, I did not really know what to expect.  All I can say is wow, this book is nothing short of amazing.  The amount of detail is perfect, not too much - not too little.  The pace is excellent, I didn't want it to end.  But above all is Madiba's story: Truly inspiring and incredible.  His combination of selflessness, dedication, and intellect are qualities that are mixed so perfectly that we are lucky as people to have him as one of our own.
585867
This is one of the must amuzing and informative books I have read about Africa and being African. I started to read it one night for an hour before sleep and didn't put it down untill well after dawn. Fuller brings to life a vibrant late twentieth centure Africa. Lets Not Go to the Dogs Tonight blossoms in both style and content. It is brilliant.
674726
This is a long book but I found it fascinating.  Even though I remember reading the news during those days, we didn't get the whole truth or the real suffering of the black Africans under apartheid.  Mandela tells it all. It is amazing what he gave up as far as his private life  and what he suffered in all the years in prison because he knew in his heart that his people should be and needed to be free.  He tells it all with humility and a great deal of love showing for his family and those with whom he worked. Everyone should read it.  Especially now in The U.S. when we are still struggling with our racism which is easier to deny than in S. Africa. This book helps to you to see it is all the same in essence if not degree.
954848
This book is such an important and useful piece of information on colonial Africa.  It is a most read.
2442496
This book opened my eyes to many pieces of history of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Robert Edgerton does a masterful job presenting key elements that brought this region of Africa to the place it is in today.
3795650
First this book explains the obsession with promoting democracy. It shows how Democracy-Promotion has become very popular in recent years. If you thought that democracy meant a government where each citizen has a vote, then Professor Pippa Norris explains that it is much more and that the meaning of democracy has changed over the years. There's traditional Schumpeterian democracy, but democracies may also be participatory, liberal, social, direct, effective and deliberative. "Liberal democracy...means the capacity of people to influence regime authorities within their nation-state."

She looks at whether democracy is good for prosperity, welfare and peace. Throughout the book she emphasizes (a little too often) that good governance and state building is required for a liberal democracy to be successful.  The thesis is that both liberal democracy and state capacity are necessary, but not sufficient, for effective development.  There are some excellent charts showing the extent of liberal democracy vs the extent of state capacity. The book classifies countries into Bureaucratic Democracies - like Chile, Patronage Democracies - like Ghana, Patronage Autocracies - like Somalia and Bureaucratic Autocracies - like Singapore.

The book is methodical and clearly structured.  There's plenty of hypothesis testing and Pippa Norris draws on Freedom House research, among her many sources. The author has gone to great pains to account for differences in the environment such as variety of religions, languages, education level, geography, etc.

Case studies contrast countries - for example, Haiti and the Dominican Republic or Zambia and Botswana.  State capacity building to ensure that corruption is minimized and laws are upheld is seen as essential to a successful liberal democracy, based on data analysis.

The book is most informative and fascinating with copious references. It will be useful to those skeptical of whether democracy is the best form of government. It's also useful for those wanting to help emerging economies. Whether you are a student of politics, economic, statistics or geography, it will provide insights. It's also a very readable book for anyone interested in current affairs, international development and peace making.
1229336
This book explores the past and current states of democracy, and examines the current threats to free-market capitalism and democracy.
The future of the planet, and what it will be like for humans to live on it, obviously is of concern to any aware person, and that's really what Mr. Robert Lee is talking about here.  The political and social environment goes a long way toward determining the capacity for individuals to find happiness.

One of the strongest aspects of this book is the historical insight.  In this sense and many others, I think reading "Saving Democracy from Suicide" would be really beneficial for teenagers and other young readers. It's edifying to see a broad topic defined so clearly, and to learn new elements of history that I wasn't familiar with.  In many ways his discussion of the early attempts at democracy was similar to recent findings about the "discovery" of the Americas--lots more cultures may have visited the continent and democracy than was commonly believed.  While the author obviously is coming from a defined perspective and trying to make points that support his argument, I found that he was fair in presenting other historic case studies that did not necessarily support his premise.

The descriptions of the threats to democracy from inhospitable and sometimes even hostile religions and nations are chilling.  Robert Lee has a lot of interesting proposals to reverse the slide of Western civilization, particularly Western democracies.  I think people who read this book will end up having more thoughtful discussions of the current state of the world.  The book is clearly written, and fascinating.
2095975
I recently visited South Africa.  This book provided a variety of essays that set a nice foundation on the complex history of this beautiful country.  The people of South Africa are very passionate about their country and these essays help set the background for their country's extraordinary legacy.
1900459
For those who wonder why some people are doing well and some aren't, this is a good book. Particularly excellent is the section on why Africa is such a mess by Daniel Entounga-Manguelle.
3347779
A must have book if you want to know more about the real story of black people and africa
3298255
I had reservations at first about reading a book about Africa by a westerner. They are either usually condescending in their tone or so romantic that most people disregard their work as fantasies. Maier, I am glad to say, was neither.
In my opinion, the book is an unbiased look at what is wrong with most of Africa today. Maier suggests bad leadership, the lingering effects of colonization and a disavowal of their past as some of the major culprits. Although the evidence is far from convincing, one cannot easily shrug off his suggestions, which appear to make sense.
Personally, what was more interesting was the stories of Africans, who against all odds, are striving to make their continent a better place. Maier shows us Africa, warts and all, but puts its problems into context, which gives us room for hope.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is remotely interested in Africa. It is a realistic look at the state of the continent today, and it will not leave you despairing at the end, like so many other books that are currently out there.
3126982
In this wonderful text, Dr. Fu-Kiau introduces his audience to the fantastically complex Central African philosophy of the Bakongo--the creators of the 13th Century Kongo Empire. The logic of the Bakongo rivals that of East Asia and Ancient Greece.  Their philosophical religion, which was very concerned with not only the world but the universe and its planets and stars and the nature of Kalunga--a concept of energy that is akin to the idea of "the Force" in Star Wars.  It's fantastic. It's intellectual. It's insightful. It's political. It's spiritual. A must have!
926461
Jack and Adam Lively have managed to put together a throughly interesting and at the same time enjoyable reader on Democracy in Britian. The most notable feature is the range of texts included: there are texts by philiosophers (Hobbes, Locke...), Politicians (Disrael, Thatcher...) and from debates in parliament as well as Shakespeare, Auden and even Rushdi. Because the authors have NOT only included specialised texts by experts on the constitutions they manage to convey the picture of a living democracy whith all its problems, issues and controversies. I would argue that many of the questions that are dealt with are also important in other countries. In this sense, the book transgresses its original purpose.
2176501
Despite his African roots, the author seems to be more on track in a lot of areas than even highly educated people in the developed West.  While he covers a very wide range of material, he manages to stay level headed but creative, opinionated but unbiased.  This book is both entertaining and educational.  I'm rereading it again because there really is a lot of opportunity in seeing the world through the eyes of somebody who seems to be so genuine.  I also have read about Kwapi Vengasayi and his work in other areas, namely performing arts.  He started a multicultural performing arts organization called Shades of Black that is a testament to much of his vision for the future and aligns with much of the book.  Buy it, try it, you won't regret it.