Elites and exclusive politics in Sub-Saharan African

Abstract

This paper examines democracy as a major and popular form of government which is finding ground across the African continent. The study also examines the degree to which political power is concentrated in the hands of elites while the ordinary citizens are relegated to voting alone when elections are due shortly after which they are soon forgotten in the governance of state affairs. Conducted with the use of secondary sources of data collection, the work examines some of the reasons responsible for the concentration of political power in the hands of few and the exclusion of the majority from the governance of state affairs. The article also explores some alternative solution to this type of political exclusion and concentration of power in the hands of the elites in sub-Saharan Africa since the end of colonialism in many countries in this region of the continent.

Elite Influence on the Governance Project in Africa

“…We can talk about 'business elites', those who have money or control the economy, 'political elites', those who have influence or make decisions in the state, 'social elites', people with personal relationships that provide them with information and access to other resources, 'cultural elites' who influence social rates, trends and cultural development of society, and 'knowledge/intellectual elites', who control or influence opinion in social consciousness, these arenas of social power are not unique (Heslop 2019). The concentration and circulation of state power within a group of people due to their economic status and social influence has led to exclusive and elitist politics in states across the sub-Saharan region of Africa (Baba 2014). Political power in a modern state, government and democracy is a popular tool created with the support of the majority.…”

“…Power is not the exclusive right of elites. It belongs to both the elite and the masses (Baba 2014). Deciding who rules is not exclusive power of elite (Word development report 2017).…”

“…Deciding who rules is not exclusive power of elite (Word development report 2017). It must be the power of the citizen as healthy entity (Baba 2014). Therefore, the fact that people of the same social strata and class always appear as party candidates in elections is a clear sign that elites have excluded people from different classes from leadership of state affairs in Sub-Saharan Africa.…”

The China Factor in Africa’s Path to Liberal Democracy

“…For a good discussion on the role of elites in African politics and how democracy has taken a back seat in the hands of the ruling elites who have largely exploited their own citizens, seeBaba (2014).Downloaded from Brill.com04/10/2023 08:58:31AM via free access…”