Abstract
Relative to social and economic rights, there is little discourse on the issue of political rights in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This fact is attributable to the pressing problems of lack of access to food and healthcare that plague millions of people in the region. However, without the observance of political (and civil) rights, economic development, wealth redistribution, and basic social order may be compromised. Contrary to arguments that insist that economic growth and social stability often require the limitation of political rights, political rights are a necessary requisite for promoting civilian support of governmental policies. Without political rights, equitable policies for development and growth may be undermined. Of course, even where political rights (or lack thereof) do not interfere with economic development, they are still important for ensuring the worth and dignity of the individual.
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
All Rights Reserved.
Publication Statement
Copyright is held by the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
Recommended Citation
Hamilton, Alayna
(2009)
"Political Oppression in Sub-Saharan Africa,"
Human Rights & Human Welfare: Vol. 9:
Iss.
1, Article 56.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/hrhw/vol9/iss1/56
Included in
African Studies Commons, Economic Policy Commons, Human Rights Law Commons, International Humanitarian Law Commons, International Law Commons, International Relations Commons, Public Policy Commons, Social Policy Commons