Media headlines suggest that Africa is lapsing back into authoritarianism. But a systematic evaluation of the continent reveals relatively modest levels of overall change in democratic performance in recent years, with positive developments in some countries cancelling out negatives ones in others. However, the combination of economic downturn due to COVID-19, growing debt, and a lack of international focus on protecting democracy bode ill for 2021 and future years. This is important because recent research demonstrates that on average democracies perform better not only on human rights but also in terms of economic growth, human development and corruption. Professor Cheeseman will draw on recent publications, his own research in Kenya, Ghana, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and data from V-DEM, Freedom House and BTI to make this argument.

Join us at this 3rd lecture part of our RECONNECT Global Series: "Democratic & Rule of Law Backsliding: Causes, Consequences and Prospects from around the World" which takes stock of developments regarding rule of law and democratic backsliding in specific countries and regions around the globe.