ABSTRACT
This chapter summarizes the main arguments within each explanatory account and develops the working hypothesis accordingly. It then shows how the independent and control variables were measured and feature some descriptive statistical results. The chapter presents the main empirical results, resulting from a set regression analyses of PSI. The chapter establishes a link between the results of the quantitative analysis and the case study analysis. Much of the literature that explores the functioning of African parties and party systems resorts to historical legacies. African politics is usually associated with the 'Big man rule' and his web of neopatrimonial practices rather than formal institutions. Programmatic parties can structure politics in ways that help to institutionalize party systems. Institutionalization and programmatic politics are likely to be mutually reinforcing. The pace of economic development or of urbanization have important impacts on party system development.
