Amazon.com description: Product Description: The contributors to this work range from economists to specialists in gender studies to seasoned scholars of the African political economy. The book contains a varied mixture of analytical views on the transition to accountable, participatory and democratic governance structures in Africa. It provides both students of African political economy and policy-makers in the continent with an in-depth analysis of the post-independence experience of African countries with institutional reform. Specifically, it looks at the struggles of Africans since Independence, to provide themselves with appropriate and viable governance structures and economic systems that maximize the participation of all citizens in national development. During the period 1989-1991, significant changes took place in the global economy. Africa took advantage of these changes and initiated a transition programme that has had mixed results. Contributors examine this so-called "third-wave" and offer reasons why it has not been very successful. In addition, the contributors suggest Africans start their transition with state reconstruction to provide laws and institutions that reflect the people's values, desires, aspirations, traditions, expectations, and culture.