This chapter provides a basic theoretical overview of the challenge of political reform in sub-Saharan Africa. It begins with a brief exploration of some of the terms employed to discuss political change, justifying our use of the term “political reform” in the current context. Following that is a discussion of some of the philosophical problems that underlie any discussion of political reform and democratization in the developing world. The chapter concludes with an outline of some of the constraints that may impede the course of political reform in sub-Saharan Africa.
