This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book describes the distinctiveness of the political reform processes that have taken place in francophone Africa. It examines a particular country addresses national conferences, the role of France, and the legacy of French and Belgian colonial rule. The book details the sources of such francophone African unity as exists on the subcontinent. It addresses some of the theoretical issues of political reform and democratization. The book identifies some of the more important variables in the process of political reform and assesses the potential of reform to lead to the institutionalization of democracy. It points the important role of external actors in transitions from authoritarianism and in democratization. The book explains five cases of "moderate reform", including Burkina Faso, Gabon, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, and Senegal.