Harbinger of Democracies? The Role of NGOs in Driving Democracy in Africa

Abstract

The interest between civil society groups and democracy in developing countries is not a new phenomenon. Today, as part of civil societies, NGOs are dominant in the African market, acting as ‘gap fillers’ as well as driving democratic efforts in these countries. By considering the multifaceted relationship between NGOs and governments in developing countries, this chapter critically discusses attempts by NGOs to drive democracy in African autocratic regimes. NGOs are alleged to be ‘compradors’ and drive democracy through moral rehabilitation of imperialist regimes. NGOs are active parties used by international observers in ensuring credible elections. However, some scholars have argued that NGO are active ‘re-colonizers’ in the twenty-first century as they bid the will of Western regimes to attain funding. As such, NGOs are explicated through external domination of African regimes and not necessarily driving democratization. In exploration of this topic, a mixed methods research design has been designed, underpinned by the fundamental tenets of a pragmatism philosophical position.