Author: Peter M. Lewis | Journal of Democracy

Peter M. Lewis is Dr. Warren Weinstein Associate Professor of African Studies at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), where he also serves as director of the African Studies Program. Most recently, he is coeditor (with John W. Harbeson) of Coping with Crisis in African States (2016).

July 2019, Volume 30, Issue 3

Aspirations and Realities in Africa: Five Reflections

Peter M. Lewis

Three decades after sub-Saharan Africa joined the “third wave,” democracy’s ability to endure has been established in many countries, but its quality remains a grave concern.

July 2015, Volume 26, Issue 3

Nigeria’s Hopeful Election

In a surprising turn of events, opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari was able to outpoll incumbent Goodluck Jonathan—and the latter peacefully acknowledged his defeat.

October 2011, Volume 22, Issue 4

Nigeria Votes: More Openness, More Conflict

Peter M. Lewis

Nigeria’s 2011 presidential election offered its citizens the most competitive and transparent contest in decades, but also the bloodiest.

October 2008, Volume 19, Issue 4

Poverty, Inequality, and Democracy: Growth Without Prosperity in Africa

Peter M. Lewis

Fifteen years after the wave of democratization crested in Africa, the region still grapples with an economic malaise that is disappointing popular expectations and undermining the legitimacy of electoral regimes.

July 2003, Volume 14, Issue 3

Nigeria: Elections in a Fragile Regime

Peter M. Lewis

The election cycle concluding in the spring of 2003 was a guarded success. High hurdles to better governance and democratic consolidation remain, but Nigerians can now face them with greater hope.

January 1999, Volume 10, Issue 1

Nigeria: An End to the Permanent Transition

Peter M. Lewis

Read the full essay here.

April 1995, Volume 6, Issue 2

“Civil” and Other Societies

Peter M. Lewis

A review of Civil Society and the State in Africa, edited by John W. Harbeson, Donald Rothchild, and Naomi Chazan.

Poverty, Inequality, and Democracy

This book addresses such broad issues as whether democracy promotes inequality, the socioeconomic factors that drive democratic failure, and the basic choices that societies must make as they decide how to deal with inequality.

Democratization in Africa: Progress and Retreat

At a time when democracy seems to be in retreat in many parts of the world, Africa presents a more mixed picture. Democratization in Africa: Progress and Retreat brings into focus the complex landscape of African politics by pairing broad analytical surveys with country-specific case studies.