Transition to democracy in the Developing World Assignment

Transition to democracy in the Developing World - Assignment Example Cases of abuse of office, indepth corruption and weak systems that scuttle efforts of accountability are just some of the major challenges facing developing countries. Different groups of scholars have fronted views on how most of the countries in the developing world can transition to democracy. Among the areas which have been identified to be needing urgent redress to foster democracy include; history of that particular country, role of civil society and State capacity (Kaufman and Haggard 42-44). However, the wave of democratization also referred to by some scholars as the third wave of democratization brought out the fact that democracy is not only inclined to economic level of development. Considerable debates are currently unfolding on how and whether, institutional conditions, social, economic and structural factors impact on democratization prospects and also on how democratic political systems in these countries can be sustained. Democratization sequencing has fronted the idea of establishment of well functioning States and the rule of law as major prerequisites in democratization (Kaufman and Haggard 58). Taking Kenya as an example of one of the developing countries in Africa, we begin by analyzing the commitment to rule of law and the aspect of a well functioning State. In 2007 after general election, Kenya was in turmoil following a disputed presidential election. The opposition alleged that the incumbent had denied conceding defeat. This occurrence led to bloody skirmishes for nearly two months leading to lose of lives and displacement of populations. The electoral commission was blamed for allegedly announcing the results of a flouted election. In response to the preceding events, a deal was brokered between the incumbent and his closest rival in the just concluded disputed polls leading to the formation of a grand coalition government. First in