PREAMBLE

The first half of the 1990s saw widespread reconfiguration of political regimes and repackaging of power blocs across the African continent triggered by the implosion of the former communist/socialist regimes, the increased pace of globalization, the triumphalism of liberal democracy and the ultimate increase in assertive civil institutions. Although this ideology was short-lived in many African States as it has been regarded to be alien in its form, quite a few of them have managed to implement and maintain the democratization processes. However, where it has been implemented, liberal democracy has proved to be a binding force towards political representativeness, institutional effectiveness and economic management. Below are some but a few of the principles that can ultimately help a nation democratize: 1) Free and fair elections This forms the basis of democracy. Everyone is entitled to choose and vote for his/her own leader without being forced or victimized. 2) Multipartism For a government or a ruling power to be as effective as possible, there is absolute need for the existence of an opposition party, (a government-in-waiting). This provides a platform to curb the abuse of power, improper allocation or disbursements of funds, corruption, irregular government expenditures only to mention but just a few. In other words, such parties act as check and balances on behalf of the general citizenry. 2) Rule of law This is quite an important factor as it determines the extent to which the ruling party can exercise power in accordance with the Constitution. Four major aspects in limiting such power are depicted below:

it binds the government into one unit it promotes the importance of equality before the law it establishes the law and order it also helps in the formation of a vibrant justice system and the protection of human rights

3) Separation of powers The office of the Executive, Legislative and the Judiciary powers should be totally independent from each other. Cadre deployment, power abuse are commonplace should there be no separation of government bodies. This has a detrimental effect towards the political development of a nation. 4) Privatization In other words, a government has no business for being in business. 5) A vibrant non-aligned civil society This acts as the sphere of participation between the public and the state. 6) Removal of media censorship The citizenry has the right to know. 7) Accountability This is an aspect of governance that mainly deals with issues pertaining to the administration of government entities. The main emphasis here is to provide clean audits during the scope of work being done, the opening up of reporting lines and being answerable to various consequences.

8) Transparency Governments are put in place with the hope that they will be able to act accordingly in the public interest. They are given access to public resources and the ultimate power to take decisions that affect the mass. It is however in this light that some officials take this priviledge to their own advantage and eventually become corrupt. There is need for a government to be as transparent as possible so that the citizenry is well informed about the status of the nation as well as bringing such culprits to book. 9) Reduced government spending This involves the reducing of tax payers money in certain circumstances and ultimately using it towards other benefiting issues that include infrastructural development, education, health etc. These unnecessary spending's can range from the bookings of expensive hotels for government officials, use of state vehicles, state allowances etc. 10) Civil liberties Every individual has the right to life, freedom of expression and opinion as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human rights.