Democratic reform, transition and consolidation: evidence from Senegal's 2000 presidential election

Abstract

What lessons on the broad issue of successful democratic transitions and consolidation can be drawn from the Senegalese experience? The most import ant inference from this case is that transition is a function not of one factor alone, or even one dominant factor, but a combination of dynamic changes including institutional design and modification, and the attitudes, values and beliefs of the population. In Senegal, modernisation and political culture change activated a movement towards the transition that only became possible as a result of institutional modifications. Institutional reform creates opportunities but does not ensure a successful transition. The issues of social capital, materialism/post-materialism, education, economic security, regime performance, value change, and confidence in institutions in general all come into play to varying degrees. The gradual creation of democratic institutions precedes and contributes to political culture change, independent of economic development. The article draws on survey data, a replication of the world values survey conducted in Senegal, and an analysis of institutional (electoral system) reforms over the last twenty-five years, with comparative data from other African countries.