The author opens up the debate on transition processes which have dominated economic and social studies on Africa over the past few years. This study illuminates political developments in the transition from an authoritarian and/or dictatorial regime, to one that is more respectful of human rights and public liberty, and emphasises theoretical, practical and political African concerns. An extensive bibliography includes works on Africa, Latin America, Asia and Eastern Europe providing documentation for a comparative study between democratic transition in Africa and in other continents.