The Impact of Elite Rule on Africa’s Development

Many of Africa’s intractable political and economic shortcomings could be seen as the incapability of the people of ruling themselves. Some have posited that the colonial powers opted out of the continent prematurely. In this politically correct age, such views are seldom spoken openly by either foes or friends of Africa. Conversely, it would be quite naive to think that Africa’s experience has not raised questions about the quality of the character and mind of the leaders on the continent. The doubt certainly occupies many people as they watch their continent being exploited and treated as a basket case. Self-doubt has increased with each decade of apparent failure.
Africa’s tragedy is not that its politically independent nations are poor. The tragedy is that Africa lacks ruling classes that are committed to overcoming the state of poverty, despair and hopelessness. As long as politics is dominated by elites, it is difficult to see how meaningful democracy or economic development can be sustained. Rather than viewing African leaders as corrupt, we should see them and their actions from the perspective of the interests they serve. The failure of participatory democracy and economic development in some parts of the continent are due in a large part to the scramble for wealth by elites who have dominated the political scene since political independence. Political power has become a “rent-seeking behavior” for many of these elites on the continent. There is high premium on the control of the state, which is the biggest and the most easily accessible source of wealth accumulation. Competition for control of the state, whether between the military and civilian classes or between civilian political parties leads to instability.
The challenge facing those who want better governance is how to make those in power accountable and ultimately rescue the state from them and transform it into an agency for positive change.