Democracy and development in the age of globalisation

Globalisation is one of the leading characteristics of the world today – a world that is striving for development, democracy and the protection of human rights. There is no doubt that the relationship between globalisation and democracy is quite complex. So too is the relationship between globalisation and development. The impact of globalisation is perhaps more prominent on the African continent than elsewhere in the world. This is due to the unique circumstances and challenges that African countries have faced in the recent past and continue to face. Such challenges include poverty, hunger, armed conflicts, poor governance, crime, corruption, unemployment, low levels of education, lack of skills and resources, and the prevalence of diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. Besides reflecting on the impact of globalisation on development and democracy, this article explores the tensions and contradictions that arise out of the relationship between these concepts. It also highlights the peculiar challenges that underlie and further complicate this relationship in African countries.