ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a basic theoretical overview of the challenge of political reform in sub-Saharan Africa. It explores some of the terms employed to discuss political change, justifying the use of the term "political reform" in the current context. The chapter discusses some of the philosophical problems that underlie any discussion of political reform and democratization in the developing world. It outlines some of the constraints that may impede the course of political reform in sub-Saharan Africa. More subjectively, one could refer to the recent period as one of political "reform", "liberalization", or, perhaps, "democratization". Short of democratization, one could speak of "liberalization", which would seem to characterize the changes both in formal institutions and in the civil society in Africa, but the depth and durability of these changes are still unclear. Francophone Africa has seen a great number of transitions, but it is far from certain that democratic institutions have yet been consolidated anywhere.
