The main focus of this study is sub-Saharan Africa and its aim is classify various African political systems, to examine political explanations of economic policy formation and change in the region, to review the state of the academic debate on democracy and development in the Third World and the relationship between economic development and the political system.

Finally, the author evaluates contemporary political and economic change in sub-Saharan Africa and some attempt is made to assess the prospect for political liberalisation and the likely implications for the economy.