HSY3701 ASSIGNMENT 3 2026
DUE MAY 2026
ALL TOPICS WRITTEN
Essay:
The Transition from Multiparty Systems to Authoritarianism in Africa until the
1970s
After independence, many African countries started with multiparty democratic systems
based on the models of their former colonial rulers. But by the late 1970s, most of these
countries had changed to authoritarian forms of government. This shift happened for
several connected reasons, including the effects of colonial rule, weak economies,
divisions between social and ethnic groups, military takeovers, and systems based on
favouritism and personal power. The colonial legacy played a big role because many
countries inherited political systems that were not designed for unity or stability. Their
economies were also fragile, making it difficult for governments to meet people’s needs.
At the same time, differences between ethnic and social groups often caused tension
and conflict. In some cases, the military stepped in and took control, weakening
democratic systems even further. Leaders also began to rely on patronage, rewarding
supporters with jobs or resources, which strengthened their personal control over the
state. In this context, one-party rule means that only one political party controls the
government, and opposition parties have little or no real power. A dictatorship is when
one person or a small group holds all power without being checked by democratic
systems. A civil war is a violent conflict between groups within the same country, often
caused by deep political, ethnic, or regional differences.
DUE MAY 2026
ALL TOPICS WRITTEN
Essay:
The Transition from Multiparty Systems to Authoritarianism in Africa until the
1970s
After independence, many African countries started with multiparty democratic systems
based on the models of their former colonial rulers. But by the late 1970s, most of these
countries had changed to authoritarian forms of government. This shift happened for
several connected reasons, including the effects of colonial rule, weak economies,
divisions between social and ethnic groups, military takeovers, and systems based on
favouritism and personal power. The colonial legacy played a big role because many
countries inherited political systems that were not designed for unity or stability. Their
economies were also fragile, making it difficult for governments to meet people’s needs.
At the same time, differences between ethnic and social groups often caused tension
and conflict. In some cases, the military stepped in and took control, weakening
democratic systems even further. Leaders also began to rely on patronage, rewarding
supporters with jobs or resources, which strengthened their personal control over the
state. In this context, one-party rule means that only one political party controls the
government, and opposition parties have little or no real power. A dictatorship is when
one person or a small group holds all power without being checked by democratic
systems. A civil war is a violent conflict between groups within the same country, often
caused by deep political, ethnic, or regional differences.
