Decolonising Liberal Democracy: Amílcar Cabral’s Political Thought and the Reconstruction of Participatory Democracy in Africa
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Abstract
The persistence of democratic challenges in Africa has generated debates about whether liberal democracy, as inherited and practised across the continent, adequately responds to African political realities. While existing explanations often emphasise weak institutions, poor leadership, and electoral deficiencies, this article argues that the problem also concerns the limited understanding of democracy as primarily a system of representation and periodic elections. Using a philosophical reconstruction method and a critical interpretive approach, the article examines Amílcar Cabral’s political thought as a resource for rethinking democratic theory in Africa. It argues that Cabral’s participatory politics provides a framework for decolonising liberal democracy by reconceptualising citizens as active agents of political life, rather than occasional participants in electoral processes. The article develops three interconnected principles of Cabralian democratic reconstruction, namely: political agency, participatory institutions, and political consciousness. It does not reject liberal democratic commitments to constitutionalism, rights, and accountability. Rather, it argues that these principles require deeper participation to achieve meaningful legitimacy. By reconstructing the democratic implications of Cabral’s philosophy of liberation, the article contributes to debates on decolonial political theory and the possibilities of participatory democracy in Africa.
Correction Notice
jkqatrani@gmail.com Osama S. Qatrani ETHICS_JCARM_2026_001 The matter concerns a cited source that is currently the subject of an editorial-ethics consideration by the journal in which that source was published. Ivory and Finch Publishers has duly noted your notification in its editorial records under Reference Tracking ID ETHICS_JCARM_2026_001.At this stage, no determination is being made by JCARM regarding the allegations or the underlying matter. The journal will monitor the outcome of the concerned journal's editorial investigation and, should the matter be formally substantiated, will consider any appropriate editorial action in accordance with applicable publication-ethics standards.
How to Cite
Justina, O. I. (2026). Decolonising Liberal Democracy: Amílcar Cabral’s Political Thought and the Reconstruction of Participatory Democracy in Africa. Journal of Contemporary Academic Research and Methodologies, 1(6). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21859849
Justina, Okafor Ifeoma. "Decolonising Liberal Democracy: Amílcar Cabral’s Political Thought and the Reconstruction of Participatory Democracy in Africa." Journal of Contemporary Academic Research and Methodologies, vol. 1, no. 6, 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21859849
Justina, Okafor Ifeoma. "Decolonising Liberal Democracy: Amílcar Cabral’s Political Thought and the Reconstruction of Participatory Democracy in Africa." Journal of Contemporary Academic Research and Methodologies 1, no. 6 (2026). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21859849
References
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