Comparing the Gap Between Demand and Supply of Democracy in Benin and Ghana

Abstract

This paper seeks to understand the gap between demand for democracy and supply of democracy that is occuring in some states, and the factors that contribute to the gap. It will look at two West African states, Benin and Ghana, to better understand what factors may lead to gaps between demand and supply of democracy. Opinion survey results from the Afrobarometer were used to assess those who expressed a desire for democracy (demand) and those who were satisfied with democracy (supply). In Ghana, the percentages of people who desired democracy and those who were satisfied with it, were relatively the same. However, in Benin, a much lower percentage of people were satisfied with democracy, leading to a gap of more than 20 points. These two states were compared, not just for their differing scores, but also because they experienced relatively similar transitions to democracy, around the same time, and have generally been two of West Africa’s most stable democracies in the last thirty years. However, they also differ in significant ways and these differences were examined to see if they contributed to the gap between demand and supply of democracy. The categories of difference examined were economic performance, democratic institutions and political trust. After reviewing the literature on these factors, and examining the Afrobarometer data, along with data from the World Bank, it was concluded that the likely reasons for Ghana’s higher satisfaction scores included higher economic growth, institutionalised political parties, a more independent national electoral commission, and lower perceived levels of corruption, among other factors. More research is required to determine if economic growth is the dominant factor affecting all other factors, or if the other factors relate to each other.