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READINGS AND ANALYSES OF THE LIBERIAN 2023 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS A WAY FORWARD FROM A PROCEDURAL DEMOCRACY TO A SUBSTANTIVE DEMOCRACY

2024; RELX Group (Netherlands); Linguagem: Inglês

10.2139/ssrn.4699265

1556-5068

Mory Sumaworo,

Social Policy and Reform Studies

Liberia is a fragile state that has endured several wounds of civil wars, political instability, and economic stagnation over the years (1989-2003). However, the story is gradually changing as evidenced by the 2023 presidential and general elections that had been characterized by the local and international communities as credible, transparent, free, and fair where the incumbent George Weah conceded the defeat to his rival, Josphe N Baokai. That was politically and democratically welcoming and commendable. Nevertheless, from 2005 to 2023, there have been relatively smooth political exercises in Liberia, but the impact is dismal economically and developmentally. Thus, it is highly recommended that the government emphasizes substantive democracy by addressing sustainable and tangible development issues as a means to sustain and protect procedural democracy. The geopolitical scenarios in most West African nations that were once promising democracies like Mali and Guinea experienced a breakdown in democratic regimes recently that was caused by the failure of the government to address the needed development issues in those countries. The article adopts a qualitative method to collect data and make the analysis. It was, therefore, concluded that it is paramount for the sustainability of democracy in Liberia to deeply consider the substantive aspect of democracy in the form of development tangibles, improving the living conditions of the people, building the needed infrastructures, and more importantly making institutions operational as per their establishing laws, or else, the significant progress that has been achieved in the procedural aspect will, may and could face a political challenge, years to come.