African Political Analysis Think-Tank Vignettes

Westphalian system in Africa established mechanisms of centralizing power, order and organization through the following pillars: upholding geographic boundaries, liberty, life, pursuance of happiness, freedom of speech, governance, religion, mobility, countries trade with each other without fear of belligerence, internal strife, holding regular elections and changing governments.  The countries do not interfere in affairs of other countries unless given permission to. In this system, states were the legitimately recognized actors and could negotiate as sovereigns.  A study into how regularly change of governments is exercised in Africa finds that:  1) most governments change after battles, civil unrest  2) in only a few cases governments hold regular elections where power is transferred to incoming government 3) in many cases governments hold regular elections but power remains in same hands 4) some countries in Africa are semi-formal sta...

Westphalian system in Africa promised power, order, unity, hegemony and organization through the following pillars: upholding geographic boundaries, liberty, life, pursuance of happiness by the people in those borders, freedom of speech, religion, mobility, countries trade with each other without fear of belligerence or internal strife, holding regular elections and changing governments. The countries do not interfere in affairs of other countries unless given permission to.  In this system, states were the legitimately recognized actors and could negotiate as sovereigns.  A study into how state sovereignty translated in Africa finds that:  1) few countries in Africa have not had coups after independence. The causes of coups included: unequal consolidation of power, secessionist goals, dissatisfaction of people, mutiny, bitterness over how cake is shared, and other reasons.   2) most governments change after civil unrest.  3) in onl...