Paper long abstract:

This paper assesses the claim that Cape Verde is one of the foremost democracies in Africa. Based on research conducted in November 2005, the paper explores the nature of Cape Verde's democracy by examining the electoral process, the role of political parties, the functioning of the National assembly, civil and political rights, civil society and economic equality. The paper argues that electoral democracy and democratic values appear to be embedded in the country's structures. However, the economic basis of the country is still weak with a dependence on foreign aid and remittances from the diaspora. A number of problems exist to be addressed in the short to medium term. These include the role of the diaspora vote, the country's relations with the European Union and Africa, increasing immigration from Africa, Cape Verde's position as an entrepot for the drugs trade and different levels of poverty between the islands that make up the archipelago. Despite these problems the paper concludes that the future for Cape Verde remains optimistic.