Contents: Introduction, Hussein Solomon and Ian Liebenberg; Democracy versus state: the African dilemma?, Irina Filatova; Africa's constitutional renaissance? stocktaking in the ’90s, Clive Napier; The consolidation of democracy - debate in Africa: challenges for the civil community, Ian Liebenberg; The changing roles of civil society in African democratisation processes, Elke Zuern; Civil-military relations in Africa: soldier, state and society in transition, Mark Malan; Gender, development and democracy, Linda Cornwell; Globalization and dominant discourses, Petrus de Kock; Human rights and the consolidation of democracy in South Africa, Mandla Seleoane; Sharing power? intergovernmental relations in democratic transitions, Robert Agranoff, Jabu Sindane and Ian Liebenberg; Conclusion, Hussein Solomon and Ian Liebenberg; Appendix; Index.

’...the collection is a useful one and contributes to the debate on democracy and African politics...I would recommend this book...’ International Affairs ’I would recommend the book for anyone who has an interest in questions about democracy and civil society in Africa, and, for those who want to delve further...there are extensive references given with each chapter as well as a lengthy list of bibliographic references at the end of the book.’ The Ethnic Conflict Research Digest '...a useful and excellently conceived addition to the literature on democracy and democratization in Africa...this is an important book, useful more than anything else for the light it sheds on the critical interconnectedness of several intermeshing themes that are usually given isolated treatment in the literature. In addition, the appendix on 'Ninety Two Days in the Life of a Continent' will ge a good reference material for students and the political diarist.' Democracy and Development