The Poverty of Democracy: From Socialism to Neoliberal Citizenship in Tanzania

This essay contributes to the current debate on democratization in Africa through an analysis of the historical and political factors that hinder the consolidation of a truly democratic regime in Tanzania. Although multi-party politics was reintroduced in 1992, the consolidation of liberal democracy is still a somewhat uncertain process in Tanzania. During the last two decades the restoration of multiparty politics has proceeded in parallel with the de-statalization of the economy and the introduction of cost-recovery measures in the social services. It is precisely in the widening discrepancy between the high rates of economic growth recorded during the last decade and the persistent social crisis that is to be found the root cause of the fragility of the Tanzanian democracy.