The Purpose of Political Power: An African Dimensional Contemplation

Abstract

This paper is a contribution to the persisting debate among social scientists on the dynamics of political power. The African dimension of the paper derives from the intention to contribute to the specific debate on political accountability in Africa. Hence, the general objective of the study is to identify in specific terms, what should constitute the purpose of political power, particularly in Africa. The methodology of the study is logical argumentation. The theoretical framework is the public choice theory. Consequently, among the study’s most salient conclusions is that the purpose of political power must be the democratisation of power, in generic terms, by the trustees or holders of political power.