The Challenge of Sustaining Emergent Democracies

The Recent Political Crises In Kenya Zimbabwe And Georgia Should Alert All To The Fact That The Emergent Democracies That Mushroomed All Over Africa And Eastern Europe At The End Of The Last Century Cannot Be Taken For Granted. They Face Multiple Obstacles Including Political Manipulation Poverty Dependency Racism Ethnicism Religious Extremism Short-Sighted Nationalism Fraud And Corruption Of All Types. Are These Democracies Sustainable? Were The Skeptics Right? Are The Obstacles Due To Internal Or External Factors Or Both? Could Democracy Itself With Its Emphasis On Freedom And Self-Determination Cause Ethnic Conflicts? This Book Does Not Only Identify And Analyze The Main Obstacles But Also Argues That They Can Be Overcome With Thoughtful Strategies. These Include Identifying The Inherent Strengths And Weaknesses Of Democracy Contextualizing Some Democratic Ideals And Practices For Developing Economies Minimizing Dependences Making Religion An Ally For Fighting Fraud Corruption And For Promoting Peace And Social Transformation And Adopting A Pro-Democracy And Pro-Development Philosophy Of Education. . Rev Dr. Joseph Osei Is Professor Of Philosophy At Fayetteville State University Nc. His Phd In Philosophy Is From The Ohio State University (1991) The M.A Is From Ohio University (1986) And The B.A. In Philosophy & Religion Is From The University Of Ghana (1981). Osei Is Also A Graduate Of Trinity Theological Seminary (Legon) And An Ordained Minister Of The Methodist Church Ghana. He Was Born At Kokofu Ashanti Ghana In 1951 And Is Married To Victoria Osei. They Have Five Kids: Lucy Gina Suzie Miriam And Emmanuel.