Africa's Governments and Economies

Governments

Kenya

Background:

• December 12th, 1963 - Kenya became independent under the leadership of Jomo Kenyatta

• Kenya recently experienced many changes

• New constitution (2010) introduced new bicameral legislature

• The constitution promises to reduce corruption in government

• Kenya is currently a democratic republic with an elected president

Leadership:

• Kenya’s president acts as both chief executive and head of state

• President holds a lot of power

• President attends Kenya’s ceremonies and meets with leaders

How Leaders Are Chosen:

• The president is directly elected by a popular from the people

• He or she serves a 5-year term and is eligible for a 2nd term if elected

Legislature:

• Parliament of Kenya is the country’s bicameral legislature

• It consists of two houses—the Senate and the National Assembly

• Citizens elect members for both houses

Presidential Democracy:

• Citizens directly elect president any 5 years

• President works separately from Kenya’s Parliament

Role of Citizen:

• 18 to vote

• Citizens participate in voting and elections

• Citizens vote for president and parliament

Flaws:

• Even though Kenya is a democracy, citizens do not have a say in the government

• Most of decision making is made by the president and his party

• Freedoms written into constitution, but government is dominated by the president

• Corruption major problem as many politicians take bribes

• Women are not equally represented in Kenya’s government

Nigeria

Background:

• October 1st, 1960, Nigeria gains independence under Abubakar Tafawa Balewa

• At first, Nigeria was one of the more stable governments

• Nigeria suffered from violence and military rule from 1966-1999

• Constitution promises to reduce corruption

• Nigeria is currently a democratic republic

Leadership:

• Nigeria’s president acts as both chief executive and head of state

• President holds a lot of power and is involved in the day-to-day business of running the country

• The president attends Nigeria’s ceremonies and meets with leaders

How Leaders Are Chosen:

• Nigeria’s president is directly elected by a popular vote from the people

• He or she serves five-year term and is eligible for a 2nd term if elected

Legislature:

• Nigerian National Assembly is the country’s bicameral legislature

• Consist of 2 houses—Senate and the House of Representatives

• Both houses are elected by Nigeria’s citizens

Presidental Democracy:

• Citizens directly elect the president every 5 years

• President works separately from Nigeria’s National Assembly

Role of the Citizen:

• 18 to vote but it’s not required by law

• As a democracy, citizens can participate in voting and elections

• Citizens vote for president and the legislature

Flaws:

• Corruption is major issue as politicians have taken bribes and abused their power to gain personal wealth

• Elections have been afflicted with fraud and unequal voting rights

• Citizens cannot always rely on courts to protect their rights and freedoms

• Women are not equally represented in the government

South Africa

Background:

• 1910 is when South Africa becomes independent

• ‘Til 1994, S. Africa had an oligarchy controlled by white dutch south africans

• Today, racially segregated government ended and S. Africa is a democracy

Leadership:

• The president is the chief executive and holds the most political power

• He or she is head of government and head of state

• He or she is the leader of the party with the most seats in National Assembly

How Leaders Are Chosen:

• Parliament selects one of its members to be president

• He or she serves a 5-year term (no more than two terms)

Legislature:

• Parliament of S. Africa is country’s bicameral legislature

• Consist of 2 houses—the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces

• Citizens elect members to the National Assembly, while lower provincial governments appoint officials to the National Council of Provinces

Parliamentary Democracy:

• The political party with the most members in the National Assembly selects the President

Role of the Citizens:

• 18 to vote but not required by law

• Citizens can participate in voting and elections

• Citizens vote for members of the National Assembly, who then elects the president

• Elections are fair and Constitution protects rights and freedoms

• People can participate in government by voting, expressing opinions on issues, and running for office

Flaws:

• Personal freedoms are more numerous in S. Africa since Apartheid has ended

• Much of S. Africa’s wealth does not reach the black population

• This has caused very low standard of living among half of the country’s population

Economies

South Africa

Mixed:

• S. Africa has a mixed economic system that is about 65% free and 35% command

• Government controls some areas like the postal service and some oil and gas companies

Freedom:

• S. Africa has transitioned away from a command economy and is moving more towards a market one

• S. Africa’s national government has let more citizens and private corporations take over industries that it used to own

• The government has loosened its control and now encourages competition among businesses which has helped the economy grow

Regulation:

• The government operates the postal service and some of the communications network

• Also owns some of the oil and gas companies, and healthcare is both public and private

Resources:

• S. Africa is an industrialized nation

• Large service and manufacturing industries

• It benefits from the abundant precious metals and minerals

• S. Africa is a well-known producer of diamonds and one of the world’s top producers of gold

Today:

• During the apartheid era S. Africa’s economy suffered

• After apartheid, black south africans were granted rights including the right to own their own businesses

• Opened up more competition and created a stronger market economy

• Still feeling the effects of poverty, crime and unemployment

Nigeria

Mixed:

• 60% free 40% command

• largest economy in Africa

Freedom:

• Nigeria has transitioned away from a mostly command economy and is moving more towards a market one

• Citizens are free to own property and start their own businesses

Regulation:

• Nigerian government still controls large parts of the country’s two most important industries—oil and agriculture

• National government has been giving more control to these industries to private business in hopes of improving the economy and standard of living

Resources:

• Nigeria is fortunate in that it has many valuable natural resources

• In 1970s, oil was discovered in the country

• Nigeria is the largest producer of oil in Africa

Today:

• Nigeria has been ruled by ruthless military dictatorships

• Nigeria had mostly a command economy

• Today, the country is more democratic and the government is giving more economic freedom to its citizens

• Government has been partnering with private businesses to provide greater access to electricity, improve roads, and to increase agriculture

Kenya

Mixed:

• 50% free 50% command

• High levels of corruption in Kenya’s government have hurt the country’s overall score on the Index of Economic Freedom

Freedom:

• Kenya’s citizens are allowed to own property and start their own businesses

• Businesses decide what and how to produce, and what prices to charge for their products

• Because of corruption and bribery in Kenya’s government, laws meant to protect businesses are not always fairly enforced

Regulation:

• Kenya’s government owns all or part of several industries including banking, electricity, mining, and oil refining

Resources:

• Kenya is the banking, transportation, and communication hub of East Africa

• Agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing have helped Kenya become the strongest economy in the region

Today:

• In recent years, Kenya’s agriculture industry