Political Behaviour & Party Politics in a Democracy: A Comparative Analysis of Ghana & Nigeria

Wogu, Ikedinachi Ayodele Power and Sholarin, M. A. and Olu-Owolabi, F. E and ADEGBUYI , O. A. and Agoha, Benedict Emerenwa and Elegbeleye, A. (2015) Political Behaviour & Party Politics in a Democracy: A Comparative Analysis of Ghana & Nigeria. Wulfenia Journal Klagenfurt, Austria, 22 (3). pp. 549-565. ISSN 1561-882X

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Abstract

Contemporary literature on emerging democracies identifies the art of elections as the ultimate measure for democratic credentials in a country. “If free and fair elections are held regularly within a constitutionally stipulated time frame” and, in particular, “where regime change occurs through such elections”, they have argued, “are enough reasons for a country to be branded democratic”. Recent studies conducted by Ghanaian and Nigerian Universities on Ghana and Nigeria elections since 1996 tend to affirm this view. In contesting such unqualified assessment, this paper argues that merely conducting free and fair elections at regular intervals does not make a country democratic. Of paramount importance is the quality of elections held and the meaning attached to them. These features, the paper argues, are functions of enduring and sound party politics manifested in decent political behaviour which are enshrined in the basic tenets of political party systems in any given government. The descriptive and comparative critical method of analysis is adopted for examining the dynamics of party politics and political behaviours between Ghana and Nigeria with the view to determining their democratic status. Ultimately, the study attempts to show how the various conceptions of political behaviour & party politics in these countries have drawn them either nearer or further away from achieving democratization.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Democracy, Government, Party Politics, Political Behaviour, Political Parties.
Subjects:	J Political Science > JA Political science (General) J Political Science > JZ International relations
Divisions:	Faculty of Law, Arts and Social Sciences > School of Social Sciences
Depositing User:	Mrs Patricia Nwokealisi
Date Deposited:	01 Sep 2015 13:20
Last Modified:	18 Sep 2018 14:53
URI:	http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/5433

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