Revisiting Modernization Theory in Sub-Saharan Africa: the Relationship Between Industrialization and Democratization

Abstract

The relationship between industrialization and democratization in Sub-Saharan Africa is one of interdependence and balance unique to the characteristics and capacity of three critical entities: the state, private capitalists and labor. Case specific reviews of this critical relationship assist in the general understanding of how industrial characteristics contribute to certain social requisites for democracy. In the cases of South Africa, Gabon, Senegal and Burundi, an increase in industrial diversification roughly correlates to increases in the satisfaction of social requisites for democracy. Senegal, Gabon and Burundi each demonstrate a lack of industrial diversity and a relative imbalance in the power dynamic between the three critical entities. This contributes to divergent degrees of satisfaction of social requisites and autocratic tendencies in lieu of the democratic. In South Africa, diversified industrialization exists and thrives alongside consolidated democracy. In this case, each of the well-developed critical entities is able to exert effective pressure upon the others and social requisites for democracy are largely met.