This chapter, which focuses on the first post-colonial constitutions created at the time of
African independence, addresses four questions. How were these constitutions made?
Did they build a social contract between states and citizens? Is there a clear typology
of constitutions in Africa corresponding to the political differences between the colonial
powers? What was the long-term effect of these first post-colonial constitutions?
History
Publication
Checks and Balances: African Constitutions and Democracy in the 21st Century, Grant Masterson and Melanie Meirotti (eds);pp. 15-26
Publisher
EISA: Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa