The Economist

In the following viewpoint, The Economist, an authoritative British publication, asserts that democracy in Africa has been unsuccessful because elections have largely failed to produce a change in government. The ruling parties use their power to manipulate elections, the magazine contends. According to The Economist, African nations may need to consider their past political structures in order to develop democratically.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. In the magazine’s view, what does voting for the African National Congress express?
2. According to statistics cited by The Economist, how many of the elections held by forty-two sub-Saharan African countries resulted in a change of government?
3. How could some elections have been won, in The Economist’s opinion"

Within a week [in late May and early June 1999], the two most important countries in sub-Saharan...