Competing theories and concepts on politics, governance, and development

Abstract

Multiple theories and concepts of governance, politics, and development have been employed in the study of African politics, with varying degrees of analytical potency and competing implications for African governance and development. Some of these theoretical and conceptual frameworks are rooted in the liberal perspective while others proceed from a critical paradigm; some are holistic while others are individualistic; some are dyadic while others are atomistic; some are unilinear in orientation while others are dialectical. The purpose of this chapter is to critically examine these theories and concepts with a view to evaluating their analytical rigor vis-à-vis African politics, as well as their practical implications for Africa’s governance and development. In doing this, the chapter will pay particular attention to the strengths and limitations of the theoretical and conceptual frameworks in terms of their descriptive, explanatory, and predictive potency.