A Contrastive Analysis of Word Formation Processes in Interrogating Widespread Democratic Decay and Breakdown in some West African Countries

Abstract

In contemporary times democracy is threatened across West African states like never before. Democracy is under increasing assault from  the elected leaders and their cronies. A noticeable, subtle, stifling strangulation of democratic structures and substance leads to the  erosion of democracy in more than a few West African countries and a total breakdown of democracy through coups in others.  Despite the attempts by the ECOWAS and AU to discourage democratic breakdown in Africa, military intervention continues to truncate  democracies in many African countries. This paper interrogated the root-causes of the prevalence of democratic breakdown in West  African countries and the factors sustaining military interventions in the region. Building upon earlier scholarly work on democratic  breakdown and deploying the doctrinal research methodology, the researcher analysed the resurgence of and effects of military  intervention and truncation of democratic practices in West Africa. The findings of this research showed that military intervention is edging West African countries to the precipice and there have been more than a few complete democratic breakdowns in West African  countries in recent times. In conclusion, the researcher offers suggestions on how democratic breakdown can be arrested in the West  African region and/or reduce its occurrence by advocacy, enthronement of good governance, citizenship participation, application of the  rule of law, and upholding of constitutional provisions.