Democracy & Governance Democracy and Governance: A Critical Foundation for Sustainable DevelopmentAn effective government-one that represents the interests of the people and is accountable and transparent-is the best insurance that citizens' needs and desires will be met. In African countries, long-term improvements in health, education, economic growth, and the environment ultimately require responsive and representative governments that can promote and consolidate gains. In contrast, weak governance dampens economic activity, increases the risk of civil unrest, and can create fertile ground for terrorists. A number of obstacles hinder the consolidation of democratic political systems in Africa: entrenched political leaders, a lack of checks and balances, the high incidence of conflict, endemic corruption, legal restrictions on civil society, ethnic grievances, and a lack of a democratic political culture. A recent spate of coups, ethnic conflict, suppression of civil society, and political stalemates between opposing factions suggest a trend of democratic backsliding across all regions of Africa. However, positive trends have emerged in countries such as Ghana, where democracy continues to grow stronger, enabling it to serve as a regional role model. In 2011, 18 countries in Africa are considered electoral democracies compared with four in 1991, reflecting the long-term progress that has been achieved. An ongoing trend toward decentralization brings authority and service delivery decisions from central control to sub-national and local levels. And civil society organizations continue to grow in numbers and strength, although the need to broaden constituency bases and create linkages between urban and rural communities exists. USAID's Role USAID's work to strengthen the principles and practices of democracy and good governance helps to create the conditions for peace and development in Africa. USAID helps advance democracy in Africa by promoting the rule of law, free and fair elections, a politically active civil society, and transparent, accountable, and participatory governance. Through technical assistance, training, and financial support, USAID's bilateral and regional offices focus on increasing access to and participation in the political system, empowering local organizations, supporting elections, and strengthening democratic institutions. In post-conflict and fragile states, USAID supports the implementation of peace agreements, the establishment of legitimate governments, and improving the ability of post-conflict governments to deliver benefits of peace. In states with authoritarian or semi-authoritarian regimes, USAID supports democratic activists outside of government and, when possible, reformers within government. In countries governed by regimes that include elements of both autocracy and democracy, USAID is working to reduce the potential for backsliding by strengthening accountable governance institutions, ensuring checks and balances, and facilitating free and fair elections. In better-performing countries, USAID works to improve host governments' capacity to deliver basic services and encourage sustainable development as a means to consolidating democratic gains. Publications and Resources Afrobarometer, supported by USAID and other donors, is an independent, nonpartisan research project that measures the social, political, and economic atmosphere in Africa. The surveys are conducted in more than a dozen African countries and repeated regularly, and the results are shared with decision makers, policy advocates, civic educators, journalists, researchers, donors and investors, as well as average African citizens.
The Media Sustainability Index provides in-depth analyses of the conditions for independent media in 80 countries worldwide, half of which are in Africa. Multiple rounds of the study have been completed, allowing for trends in media development to be mapped.
The NGO Sustainability Index (pdf,1.4mb), launched in Africa in 2010, assesses the levels of capacity and operating environments for NGOs in 19 countries.
The Africa Regional Rule of Law Status Review (pdf,1.73mb) examines programming by USAID and other USG agencies and donors over the past fifteen years.
The Comparative Assessment of Decentralization in Africa (pdf, 1mb) is a set of studies that includes a final report drawing upon 15 country studies of decentralization in Africa.
In coordination with USAID, the U.S. Department of State implements Democracy and Human Rights Fund and Special Self Help programs in Africa that provide small grants to local organizations to build their capacity to fulfill their missions and become effective advocates for reform. Through the Les Aspin Center for Government, USAID supports anti-corruption training for young leaders in government and civil society. For information on country-specific democracy and governance activities, see the USAID in Africa Country Pages.
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