ABSTRACT
This chapter provides the history and development of Africa's experience with democratic participation. Industrial democracy, worker participation, labor management, co-operatives, workplace democracy, democratic participation and so many other expressions of participatory labour relations have featured since the beginnings of industrialisation. After the Second World War, debate in Europe regained importance, not least as economic and social reconstruction demanded commitment and involvement of all social partners. This debate was widened to many other parts of the world: many countries achieved political independence and in their post-colonial development, economic and social reconstruction was no less important. Theoretical and political debate was not much different in a number of African countries. Many newly independent countries proceeded to nationalise industry and services under a one-party, often revolutionary regime. In a number of these countries (like Guinea and Ghana), productivity committees were set up, controlled by the dominant party and meant to encourage workers to meet the production targets of national planning.
