Corruption, democracy and development: lessons for Africa and Asia

Abstract

This paper draws references from China and Nigeria; the two most populous countries and leading economies in the Asian and African continents, to examine the broad and deep relationships between both countries’ supposed adoption of democracy, and their well acknowledged economic growth. Specifically, the paper examines the effects of the domination of the state and society in China by the China Communist Party (CCP) on the overall development of the country. It also interrogates why in Nigeria, despite the existence of multiple political parties, the party in power often dominates to such an extent that the opposition is largely ineffective. Essentially, the paper is literature based. It is not only descriptive, but also analytical. Its framework of analysis draws from several prominent historical and cultural perspectives on the subject matters of corruption, democracy and development from across the world’s developed, developing and less developed economies.

Keywords: Corruption, Party System, Economic Growth, Development