The Changing Notion of Democracy and Public Participation in Cities in Africa: A Time for an Alternative?

Participation has become an increasingly important aspect in local governance as African cities experience increasing urbanization and pressing social needs. In the interests of advancing democracy, inclusive participation of citizens has become a guiding notion of how local governments deliver development to all without excluding any section of the populace. The challenge for most African cities is determining how inclusive citizen participation should inform development in a complex society faced with competing socio-economic and political needs. In the same breath, the notion of democracy is being challenged by different sections of the populace. The contestation is about who is benefiting from democracy and at whose expense. In this case, most African cities wear the coat of a developmental state mired in corruption and patronage politics. From this standpoint, the notion of democracy is contested, mostly by citizens who are experiencing poor basic service delivery and increasing taxes as cities struggle to raise revenues sustainably. The task of this chapter is to interrogate these salient issues. Firstly, it examines the concepts of participation and democracy, exploring their convergence and divergence in the broader discourse of development and democracy. Secondly, the chapter seeks to explore the extent to which these concepts are being upheld by city governments in the context of equality and statutory provision, given the diversity of city populations. Thirdly, the chapter examines the notion of participation in enabling deliberations, allowing for divergent views without promoting consensus-based political outcomes excluding dissident voices. Fourthly, it interrogates the extent of decision-making processes, determining the extent the city dwellers influence policies. All together, these various issues are intended to enable critical reflection of the changing notions of participation and democracy in African cities. The chapter concludes with a suggestion of an alternative mechanism of participation in restoring the voice of citizens towards effective and inclusive governance.