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The Imperatives of Democracy and Governance in the Fight against Corruption in Africa: A South African Perspective

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Challenges to Democratic Governance in Developing Countries

Part of the book series: Public Administration, Governance and Globalization ((PAGG,volume 11))

Abstract

As Africa is well into the second decade of the new millennium of what is euphorically called “Africa’s century,” there is still a profound sense of hope being frustrated and stereotypes being reaffirmed—once again, of countries like Muammar Gaddafi’s Libya and Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe embarrassing the African continent. The most common perception about Africa remains that of democratic government under siege, of constitutional governance being undermined, and of the rule of law being flagrantly disregarded.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Conversely, “outliers” who score high on the IIAG, but low on the CPI, are South Africa (72 versus 43), Tanzania (62 versus 35), Senegal (58 versus 36), Uganda (56 versus 29), and Kenya (50 versus 27). The reasons for these big variances need to be subjected to in-depth research. Although the paucity of data and the absence of statistical autonomy within African countries may be lamented (IIAG 2012, p. 2), in most cases the dearth of data is not the problem, rather the massaging of data by official statistics bodies and other data providers in order to boost the image of incumbent governments.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Humanities, University of Johannesburg, 558 Sweep St., 70124, Die Wilgers 0041, Pretoria, South Africa

    Denis Venter (Senior Research Fellow)

  2. Research Associate, Department of Political Studies and Governance, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

    Denis Venter (Senior Research Fellow)

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  1. Denis Venter
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Correspondence to Denis Venter .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Public Administration, Cheyney University, Cheyney, Pennsylvania, USA

    Gedeon Mudacumura

  2. School of Public Affairs, Penn State – Harrisburg W160 Olmsted Building, Middletown, Pennsylvania, USA

    Göktuğ Morçöl

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Venter, D. (2014). The Imperatives of Democracy and Governance in the Fight against Corruption in Africa: A South African Perspective. In: Mudacumura, G., Morçöl, G. (eds) Challenges to Democratic Governance in Developing Countries. Public Administration, Governance and Globalization, vol 11. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-03143-9_16

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