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This book explores the process by which constitutions and democratic institutions are constructed. Wing focuses on how innovative constitutional dialogues involving participation, negotiation, and recognition of groups previously excluded from political decision-making may be the key to a legitimate constitution.

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Introduction Principles of Constitutionalism Democratic Transitions and Their Legacies in Comparative Perspective Originating Participation: The Sovereign National Conference Integrating Citizens and the State: Decentralization and Elections Challenges to Inclusion: Constitutionalism and the Rights of Women Experiments in Dialogue Dialogue in Times of Crisis Conclusions: Dialogue and Legitimacy

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"Wing s focus on constitutional legitimacy and literacy is a very welcome addition to analyses of democratic development on the African continent. She offers a rich discussion of the actual functioning of the new institutions and demonstrates not only the innovations of the forums but also the great challenges that citizens face in accessing them. Wing s innovative analysis of constitutionalism in Mali . . .offer[s] important insights into the development of democracy that are relevant far beyond the case [she] investigates." - Perspectives on Politics

"This is an important and defining book about democratization in Africa focusing on the case of Mali, but within a comparative African perspective. Dr. Wing has a new and exciting perspective on the themes of democracy, constitutionalism, participation, and legitimacy, and Constructing African Democracy: Mali in Transition can be a real landmark in the field of comparative democratization in Africa, and in the study of constitutional transformation in plural societies." - Bruce Magnusson, Professor of Politics, Whitman College

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SUSANNA D. WING Assistant Professor of Political Science at Haverford College, USA.

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