COURSE OUTLINE AND READING LIST FOR POLI 452: POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC REFORM AND DEMOCRACY IN AFRICA, 2018/2019 ACADEMIC YEAR.

COURSE OUTLINE AND READING LIST FOR POLI 452: POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC REFORM AND DEMOCRACY IN AFRICA

University of Ghana

Department of Political Science

Second Semester, 2018/2019 Academic Year

Lecture: Thursdays, 11.30-13.20, JQB 23

Lecturers: Dr. Maame A. A. Gyekye-Jandoh, Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante, and Dr. Bossman Asare

Offices:  HOD’s office and Room 14, Political Science Dept.

Office hours (Dr. Gyekye-Jandoh): Mon. and Tues. 11:00 am to 1: 30 pm

(Dr. Asah-Asante): Thurs. 8-10 am

E-mail: mgyekyej@yahoo.com/mgyekye-jandoh@ug.edu.gh; rasahte@yahoo.com;

beasare@ug.edu.gh/ bossasare@gmail.com

Course Title	Political and Economic Reform and Democracy in Africa
Course Code	POLI 452
Purpose and Objectives	Course Description and Objectives: The course is designed to help upper level undergraduate students understand and appreciate the various political and economic reforms that have characterized politics and public management in Africa south of the Sahara (sub-Saharan Africa). It also explores and examines democratization against the backdrop of the differences in the democratization experiences of the various countries across time and space. This course requires quality participation by all registered students since most class discussions will expect students to give examples of some of the reforms they have heard, read about or seen in sub-Saharan Africa. In essence, students are required to be widely read in order to make meaningful contributions in class. Course Expectations:   Students are expected to complete all assigned readings before class and also participate in class discussions. It is expected that at the end of the semester, students of this course should be able to: discuss the characteristics of democratization in sub-Saharan Africa; understand and analyze elections and electoral systems in the continent; appreciate the role of political institutions in Africa’s democratic process, and be able to critique the various political and economic reforms that the continent has experimented with over time.                 Grading System:             Interim Assessment (IA) — 30%             Final Exam — 70%             Total Mark/Grade — 100% Students should note that academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this class.  (See University Handbook for penalties).
Week No.	Date	Lecture Course	Tutorials	Venue	Assessment
1	Thursday, 7th February, 2019	a)      Introductions b)      Course overview c)      The state of Africa during and after colonial rule		Lecture:  JQB 23
2	14th February, 2019	Policies and Programmes of the new African States		Lecture:  JQB 23
3	21st February, 2019	Governance Crises and Reforms in Africa		Lecture:  JQB 23
4	28th February, 2019	Three Broad Approaches to Economic Transformation		Lecture:  JQB 23
5	7th March, 2019	Trajectory and Waves of Democracy in Africa		Lecture:  JQB 23
6	14th March, 2019	Transitions to Democracy in Africa		Lecture:  JQB 23
7	21st March, 2019	Political Reforms in the three branches of government (in Africa)		Lecture:  JQB 23	Interim Assessment (30%)
8	28th March, 2019	Elections, electoral systems and reforms in Africa		Lecture:  JQB 23
9	4th April, 2019	Political Institutions and Democratization in Africa  - The Role of Political Parties		Lecture:  JQB 23
10	11th April, 2019	Political Institutions and Democratization in Africa – The Role of the Media		Lecture:  JQB 23
11	18th April, 2019	Civil Society/NGOs in Democracy and Development in Africa		Lecture:  JQB 23
12	25th April, 2019	Improving Governance, Managing Conflicts and Rebuilding States		Lecture:  JQB 23
13	2nd May, 2019	a)      Assessing Political and Economic Reforms in Africa b)     Revision	Revision	Lecture:  JQB 23
15 - 16	Final Exam (70%)

                                                      

Interim Assessment

1. Each student will present an annotated bibliography of 10 books/articles on a combination of the following topics: democratic governance, corruption, anti-corruption, leadership, development, democracy, political reforms, economic reforms, women empowerment, civil society organizations (interest groups), public management, political parties, the media, donor support, foreign direct investment, the judiciary, the legislature, and elections.
2. Each student will write a 1500 word analytical research essay, which shall be given to you during the IA period. You should rely on at least 10 reference materials. 

REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED READINGS

The World Bank (2000). Can Africa claim the 21^st century? The World Bank: Washington, D.C.

Asare, B & Frempong, A. (Eds).  (2017). Selected issues in Ghana’s democracy, volume 1. Tema- Ghana: Digibooks

Aggrey-Darkoh, E., & Asare, B. E. (2016). Understanding the nexus between traditional and modern political orders in Ghana. Archives of Current Research International, 3 (1), 1-11.

Gyampo, R. E., & Asare, B. (2015). The Church and Ghana's Drive toward Democratic Consolidation and Maturity. Journal of Church and State, 59 (1), 1-22.

Gyampo, R. E., Graham, E. & Asare, B. E. (2018). Political Vigilantism and Democratic Governance in Ghana’s Fourth Republic. The African Review, 44(2), 112-135.

Shardow, M. S., & Asare, B. E. (2016). Media ownership and independence: implications for democratic governance in the Fourth Republic of Ghana. Journal of Pan African Studies, 9 (9), 179-199.

Gyimah-Boadi, E. (Editor) (2004). Democratic reform in Africa: the quality of progress. Lynne Reinner. 

Lindberg, S. (2006). Democracy and elections in Africa. The Johns Hopkins University Press   

Seitz, J.L. (2008). Global Issues: an introduction, 3^rd edition. Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing.

Rose, R. (2005). Learning from comparative public policy: a practical guide. New York: Routledge.       

Payne, R.J. (2007). Global Issues: politics, economics, and culture. New York: Pearson Longman.  

Handelman, H. (2000). The challenge of third world development, 2^nd edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. 

Matthew Lockwood (2006) The state they’re in: an agenda for international action on poverty in Africa, second edition.UK: Practical Action Publishing.  

Asare Bossman (2009) The African Union, Multi-level Governance and Accountability in Africa, Legon Journal of International Affairs, 6 (2), 121-137

Asare, Bossman (2012) Unitarism and Presidentialism: Political Institutions and Corruption in Public Management in Ghana, Journal of Public Administration and Policy Research, 4(2) pp.32-41.

Gyekye-Jandoh, M.A.A. (2017). Elections and Democracy in Africa since 2000: An Update on the Pertinent Issues. In Asare, B., Frempong, A.K.D. eds. Selected Issues in Ghana’s Democracy, vol. 1. Accra: Digi Books, 11-28.

Gyekye-Jandoh, M. A. A. (2018). The Role of Civil Society in Ghana’s Democratization: A Case Study of the 2008 General Elections. in Quartey, P., Agyei-Mensah, S., Codjoe, S.N.A., and B. Bamba. eds. Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Transformation in Africa. Accra: Sub-Saharan African Publishers.

Alidu, S. and Gyekye-Jandoh, M.A.A. (2016). Civil Society and Democratic Governance in Ghana: Emerging Roles and Challenges. Contemporary Journal of African Studies, 4(1), 1-24.

Gyekye-Jandoh, M A. A. and Asare, B. (2015). The Dynamics of Civil Society-Government Interface in Ghana: 1980-2010. African Journal of Democracy and Governance, 2 (3 and 4), 53-75.

Gyekye-Jandoh, Maame A. A. 2013. ‘Electoral Reform and Gradual Democratization in Africa: The Case of Ghana’.  African Journal of Social Sciences, Volume 3, Number 2, 74-92.

Chazan, N., Mortimer, R. Ravenhill, J. & Rothchild, D. (1992). Politics and Society in Contemporary in Africa. Colorado: Lynne Rienner Publishers

Gyimah-Boadi, E. (1997). Civil Society in Africa. In Diamond, L., Plattner, F., Yun-han Chu & Tien, H. (Eds). Consolidating the Third Wave Democracies: Themes and Perspectives. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Press Ltd.

Lipset, S.,M., Diamond, L. Finifter, A. W., Lapidus, G.W., Lijphart, A. Linz, J.J., Pye, L.W., Quester, G.H.& Schmitter, P.C. (1995). The Encyclopaedia of Democracy. Congressional. Vol. II. Washington, D.C: Quarterly Inc.

Gyimah-Boadi, E. (2007). Political Parties, Elections and Patronage Random Thoughts on Neo-Patrimonialism and African Democratization. In Basedau, M., Drdmann, G.& Mehler, A. (Eds.). Votes, Money & Violence.Uppsala: University of KwaZulu-Natal Press.

Ake, C. (1996). Democracy and Development in Africa. Washington, D.C.: The Brookings Institution.

Afigbo, A.E., Ayandele, E.A, Gavin, R.J.& Omer-Cooper, J.D. (1986). The Making of Modern Africa: Harlow, Addison Wesley Longman.

Brako, I.& Asah-Asante, K. (2018). The ABC of Political Science. (2^nd Ed.). Accra: Black Mask

COURSE OUTLINE AND READING LIST FOR POLI 448 ISSUES IN AFRICA’S INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, 2018/2019 ACADEMIC YEAR.

(All rights reserved)

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES

POLI 448 ISSUES IN AFRICA’S INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COURSE SYLLABUS

SECOND SEMESTER 2018/2019 ACADEMIC YEAR

Name of Course Instructor: Nene-Lomotey Kuditchar, PhD

Office Location: Room 14 Department of Political Science

Office Hours: Monday 12 nnon-2 pm; Thursdays 3pm-4pm/by appointment via email.

E-mail address: nkuditchar@ug.edu.gh

Course Credits: 3

Lecture schedule and venue: 

Main Campus: Wednesday 11.30am-13.20pm/JQB 19

City Campus:

Overview

The patterns of Africa’s interaction with the rest of the world is unique. Its peoples have had to contend with acute internal and external pressures which have stretched and shaped its systems overtime. While some of the pressures have undermined the continent’s state institutions and thus retarded their capacity to underpin human flourishing, others have served as a source of institutional innovations resilience and creative adjustment. Ordinarily, if the normal narrative of African fragility were anything to go by, one would have expected that the continent will have been reduced to state of anarchy. The fact that this has not happened calls for a deeper and nuanced interrogation of the sources, nature and dynamics of the balance of forces the continent has had to contend with. By and large, however, the continent’s people and its institutions are yet to master the management of the external pressures and by extension their impact on human security. This course is meant to stimulate critical reflection and discussion of Africa’s pattern of interaction with external systems and in the process trigger bold and imaginative ideas about how disruptive pressures can be reduced and eliminated and beneficial pressures harnessed and amplified.

Objectives

Against the background of the overview, participants will be equipped with theoretical frameworks with which to sort out the complex dynamics of Africa’s international relations into simple easy to discern patterns. This will facilitate the comprehension and the impact of a select range of issues that define Africa’s external interactions. The result of this is to simulate critical thinking and interest beyond the popular perception of Africa as backward and vulnerable in international affairs.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course participants will

i.                    Understand, explain and apply the theories of geo-politics, geo-economics and meta-geopolitics in the study of Africa’s international relations.

ii.                   Critically apply the theories empirical cases;

iii.                 Evaluate research material in a critical way and develop research projects.

Course Delivery

It is mandatory for students to attend all lecture and tutorial sessions. Students, in addition to this, are required to thoroughly read all recommended texts and also to actively participate in discussions.

Plagiarism policy

Plagiarism, is is defined under subsection 41(1) (d) of the Statutes of the University of Ghana, 2012 as to present an idea or work of another without credit of authorship. It can also mean the reuse of one’s own work without suitable acknowledgement. This is referred to as self plagiarism, text recycling or salami publishing. Such activities constitute academic fraud or theft and thus a breach of ethical, pedagogical and legal norms. Plagiarism in any form is offensive and shall therefore will be treated as a serious wrongdoing. Appropriate sanctions, as stipulated in the Plagiarism Policy of the University of Ghana, will be applied when any student is found to have violated the policy. Please follow the link http://www.ug.edu.gh/aqau/policies-guidelines  for further information.

Civility

Decorum during lectures is always expected of all students. Anyone who disrupts class to the extent that other’s educational opportunities are diminished may be asked to leave the classroom. Cell phones must always be turned off during lecture sessions.

Students with Special Needs

Students with special needs should register with the Office of Students with Special Needs, located in the University of Ghana Computing Services (UGCS) building, next to the Student Financial Aid Office; Tel: +233-24-457-5177; E-mail: ossnug@gmail.com . Please contact me as soon as possible so that appropriate accommodation can be arranged.

Assessments and Grading

Two assessment exercises as indicated below will be administered in this course:

• Two interim assessment exams [15% each]

• Final exam [70]

Questions

1.      Examine the role of Pan-Africanism in Africa’s quest for agency in international affairs. [Due in week 5]

Recommended readings

·         Chigozie, N. P. (2018). The Influence of Pan Africanism on Africa’s International Relations, 1945–1965.

·         Chipaike, R., & Knowledge, M. H. (2018). The question of African agency in international relations. Cogent Social Sciences, 4(1), 1-16.

·         Ferim, V. B. (2017). Reassessing the Relevance of the Pan-African Discourse in Contemporary International Relations. Theoria, 64(153), 85-100.

2.       Examine the links between tax havens-capital flight and show how the dynamic contributes to the fragility of Africa in the global political economy.

Recommended readings [ Due in week 9]

·         Fjeldstad, O. H., & Heggstad, K. K. (2014). Capital flight from Africa-with a little help from the banks. Available at https://www.cmi.no/publications/file/4920-capital-flight-from-africa-with-a-little-help-from.pdf

·         Ndikumana, L. (2014). Capital flight and tax havens: impact on investment and growth in Africa. Revue d'économie du développement, 22(HS02), 99-124.

·         Christensen, J. (2009). Africa’s Bane: Tax Havens, Capital Flight and the Corruption Interface. Elcano Newsletter, (52), 24.

All assignments must be submitted on line via email address poli448issuesinafrica@gmail.com

Grading Scale

Please refer to the relevant section of the University’s undergraduate handbook

Disclaimer

I reserve the right to change any reading, dates and requirements listed in this syllabus. If this occurs, every effort will be made to announce the changes well in advance. You are however responsible for the adjustments that any such announcement will require.

Lecture schedule and recommended reading list

Week 1: The Prelude: The Dawn of the Westphalia State in Africa and the Current Situation.

Recommended Texts

·         Shih-tsung , W. (2018, Febuary 5). The Conference of Berlin. Retrieved from http://140.112.142.79/publish/pdfs/22/22_08.pdf

Week 2: Theoretical Considerations of Africa’s International Experiences

Geo-politics, Geo-economics and Meta-geopolitics

Recommended Texts

·         Ágnes, B. (2008, Febuary 5). Geopolitics and/or Geoeconomics: Geopolitics in the 21st Century. Retrieved https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279536768_Geopolitics_and 

·         Sloan , G., & Gray, C. S. (2008). Why Geopolitics? The Journal of Strategic Studies, 1-11.

·         Baru, S. (2012). Geo-economics and Strategy. Survival: Global Politics and Strategy, 47-58

·         Al-Rodhan, N. (2009, May 5). Multi-Sum Security: Five Distinct Dimensions. Retrieved from ETH-Zurich:

·         http://www.css.ethz.ch/en/services/digital-library/articles/article.html/124192/pdf

·         AL-Rodhan, N. (2011). Sustainable Global Security. In F. Gere, & M. Sharpe, Global Security: A Vision for the Future (pp. 3-7). Geneva: IOS Press.

Week 3: The Geo-politics of the Militarization of Africa’s International Relations.

Recommended texts

·         Ayferam, G. (2016). The Advent of Competing Foreign Powers in the Geo-strategic Horn of Africa

·         Analysis of Opportunity and Security Risk for Ethiopia. International Relations and Diplomacy,787-800.

·         Deen, E. S. (2013). AFRICOM: Protecting US Interests Disguised as Military Partnerships in Africa. Doha: AlJazeera Center for Studies.

·         Enuka, C. (2011). China’s Military Presence in Africa: Implications for Africa’s Woobling Peace . Journal of Asia pacific Studies , 97-117.

·         Horgby , S. (2016). EURAFRICAN Geo-politics? A Qualitative Textual Analysis of the French Geoplitical Construction of Africa in the Post Cold War Period. Berlin: STATSVETENSKAPLIGA .

·         Korybko, A. (2016, November 3). Hybrid Wars: Strategies Against Africa . Retrieved from Oriental Review: https://orientalreview.org/2016/11/11/hybrid-wars-8-strategies-against-africa-1a/

·         Ploch, L. (2011). Africa Command: U.S. Strategic Interests and the Role of the U.S. Military in Africa .Washington: Congressional Research Service.

·         Sun, D., & Zoubir , Y. H. (2011). The Eagle’s Nest in the Horn of Africa: US Military Strategic Deployment in Djibouti. 111-124.

·         Volman, D. (2009). China, India, Russia, and the United States: The Scramble for African Oil and the Militarization of the Continent. Uppsala: Nordiska Africa Institute.

·         Carmody, P. (2007). Competing Hegemons? Chinese verus American Geo-Economic Strategies in Africa. Political Geography, 504-524.

Week 4: The Geo-economics of the Post-Cold War Global Economy and Africa.

·         Hansen, P., & Jonsson, S. (2014). Another Colonialism: Africa in the History of European Integration. Journal of Historical Sociology, 442-461.

·         Kimenyi, M. S., & Lewis, Z. (2011). The BRICS and the new scramble for Africa. Retrieved from Brookings Institution http://ccs.ukzn.ac.za/files/BRICS%20v%20africa_economy_agi_kimenyi_lewis.pdf

·         Salami, M. (2014, September 3). The EU's 'Eurafrica' roots. Retrieved from Al Jazeera: http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2014/09/eus-eurafrica-roots-colonialism--20149611334511463.html

·         Volman, D. (2009). China, India, Russia, and the United States: The Scramble for African Oil and the Militarization of the Continent. Uppsala: Nordiska Africa Institute .

·         Carmody, P. (2007). Competing Hegemons? Chinese verus American Geo-Economic Strategies in Africa. Political Geography, 504-524.

·         Hansen, P., & Jonsson, S. (2011). Bringing Africa as a 'Dowry to Europe': European Integration and the Eurafrican Project, 1920-1960. Interventions: International Journal, 443-463.

·         Thrall, L. (2015). China's Expanding Relations: Implications for US National Security. Santa Monica: RAND Corporation.

·         Y. Lin , C. (2015, January 4). The Rise of Africa in the International: A U.S. Energy Perspective. Retrieved from ETH-Zurich: https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/45570/Rise_of_Africa.pdf

Week 5 to 11: The Meta-geopolitics of the Post-Cold Global System and Africa.

Themes to be covered include

1.      Tax Havens.

2.      Crypto currency and Cybercrime.

3.      The Anthropocene.

4.      Extremist Violent Organizations/Religious militant movements.

5.      Small Arms and Light Weapons trafficking.

6.      Mercenaries.

7.      Landgrab phenomenon.

Recommended texts

·         Bodulovic, G. (2005). Is the European attitude to GM products suffocating African development? Functional Plant Biology, 32(12), 1069-1075.

·         Kachika, T. (2017). Landgrabbing in Africa: a review of the impacts and the possible policy responses. Oxfam international.

·         Petric, B. (2011). The land rush. Transnational strategies for land grabing. Transcontinentales. Sociétés, idéologies, système mondial, (10/11).

·         Christensen, J. (2009, Febuary 4). Africa’s Bane: Tax Havens, Capital Flight and Corruption Interface. Retrieved from ETH-Zurich: https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/95401/WP%201,%202009.pdf

·         Curtis, M. (2015). Honest Accounts 2017:How the world profits from Africa’s wealth. Retrieved from Global Justice Network: http://www.globaljustice.org.uk/sites/default/files/files/resources/honest_accounts_2017_web_final.pdf

·         Hoste, J. C., & Vlassenroot, K. (2009). Climate Change and Conflict in Sub-Saharan Africa:the Mother ofall Problems? In U. Nations, Developing Countries facing Global Warming:a Post-Kyoto Assessment (pp. 139-149). Brussells: Royal Academy for Overseas Sciences.

·         Moran, A. M., Mulugetta, Y., & Raleigh, C. (n.d.). Climate Change & Security in Africa: Clear Risks, Nuanced Impacts. The Hague: Global Military Advisory Council on Climate Change.

·         Jean-Christophe Hoste, & Koen Vlassenroot. (2009). Climate Change and Conflict in Sub-Saharan Africa: the Mother of all Problems? In R. A. Sciences, Developing Countries facing Global Warming: (pp.139-149). The Hague: United Nations.

·         Africa Center for Strategic Studies. (2016). Africa's Active Militant Groups. Washington DC: Africa Center for Strategic Studies.

·         Antwi-Boateng, O. (2017). The Rise of Pan-Islamic Terrorism in Africa: A Global Security Challenge. Politics and Policy, 253-284.

·         Cilliers, J. (2015). Violent Islamist extremism and terror in Africa. Pretoria: Institute for Security Studies.

·         Østebø, T. (2012). Islamic Militancy in Africa. Washington, D.C: Africa center for Strategic Studies.

·         Chelule, E. (2014). Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons: Challenge to Development, Peace and Security in Africa. OSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 80-87.

·         Baro, J., O’Mahony, A., Manheim, D., & Dion-Schwarz, C. (2015). National Security Impications for Virtual

·         Currency: Examining the Potential for Non-State Actor Deployment. Santa Monica.: RAND

·         Corporation.

·         Flores, R., Matsukawa, B., Alfred , L., & Sancho, D. (2016). Cybercrime in West Africa: Poised for an Underground Market. London: Trend Micro and INTERPOL

·         Manheim, D., Johnston, P. B., Baron, J., & Dion-Schwarz, C. (2017, April 5). Are Terrorists Using

·         Cryptocurrencies? Retrieved from The RAND Blog: https://www.rand.org/blog/2017/04/areterrorists-using-cryptocurrencies.html

·         Ward, A. (2018, January 3). Bitcoin and the Dark Web: The New Terrorist Threat? Retrieved from The Rand Blog: https://www.rand.org/blog/2018/01/bitcoin-and-the-dark-web-the-new-terroristthreat.html

·         Bubna, S. M. (2010). The Case for Mercenaries in Africa. Pretoria: IDSA.

·         Mataire, L. R. (2016, March 3). Private military companies: Threat to continental security. Retrieved from The Southern Times: https://southernafrican.news/2016/03/14/private-military-companiesthreat-to-continental-security/

·         Nielsen, L. B. (2016). Private Military Companies in Africa the case of STTEP in Nigeria. Journal of World Development Studies, 1-15.

·         Selber, J., & Jobarteh, K. (2002). From Enemy to Peace Maker: The Roel of Prive Military Companies in Africa. Medicine & Global Survival, 90-95.

·         Vines, A. (2000). Gurkhas and the private security business in Africa. Pretoria: ISS.

·         Cilliers, J., & Cornwell, R. (1999). Mercenaries and the privatization of security in Africa. African Security Review, 31-42.

·         Douglas, I. (2000). Fighting for diamonds –Private Military Companies in Sierra Leone. Pretoria: ISS.

·         United Nations. (2005). Transnational Organized Crime in the West African Region. Vienna: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

Week 13: Fast-forward 2050: Mega Trend Issues in Africa’s International Relations/ Recap

Recommended text

·         Cilliers, J., Hughes, B., & Moyer, J. (2011). African Futures 2050: The Next Forty Years. Washington, DC: Africa center for Strategic Studies.