Si. Lindberg, Forms of states, governance, and regimes: Reconceptualizing the prospects for democratic consolidation in Africa, INT POL SCI, 22(2), 2001, pp. 173-199
Building on the growing body of literature bridging international relations
and historical sociology, this article argues that "consolidologists" have
something to learn from this field. The discussion's point of departure is
contemporary writings on sovereignty, security, and state formation in the
African context. In an effort to synthesize insights from international re
lations and historical sociology with neo-institutional theory, a heuristic
mode that suggests an alternative conceptualization of different forms of
states, governance, and regimes is developed. The author argues that this m
odel can be used to better understand the relationship between forms of sta
tes, variations in the institutions of governance, and transitions between
regimes. Taking the model to be fruitful, the article finally suggests some
hypotheses regarding the prospects for consolidation of democracy that can
be tested in future empirical research.