Democratisation via elections in an African 'narco state'? The case of Guinea-Bissau

Preprint

Recent development cooperation with Guinea-Bissau, focusing on good governance, statebuilding and conflict prevention, did not contribute to democratization nor to the stabilization of volatile political, military and economic structures. The portrayal of Guinea- Bissau as a failed “narco-state”, as well as Western aid meant to stabilize this state, are both based on dubious concepts. Certainly, the impact of drug trafficking could endanger democratization and state-building if continued unchecked. However, the most pressing need is not state-building facilitated by external aid that is poorly rooted in the social and political fabric of the country. Rather, it is grassroots nation-building that is a pre-condition for the creation of viable state institutions.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification ; Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements ; Informal Economy; Underground Economy ; State and Local Government: Other Expenditure Categories ; Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior ; Criminal Law
• Subject: Democratization ; narco states ; Guinea-Bissau ; West Africa ; good governance ; fragile states ; Demokratisierung ; Politisches System ; Rechtsstaat ; Guinea-Bissau ; Drogenwirtschaft ; Good Governance ; Fragiler Staat ; Westafrika

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Kohnert, Dirk
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): ZBW - Deutsche Zentralbibliothek für Wirtschaftswissenschaften
• (where): Kiel und Hamburg
• (when): 2010

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/118635
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:46 AM CET