Democratic Deficits and Underdevelopment in Mozambique

Mozambique has the trappings of a progressive African state: abundant gas and coal resources, expanding foreign direct investment, aid from international donors, decade political stability, social welfare for her most vulnerable. However, ranks among least developed nations on continent (World Bank 2018; UNHDI 2018). This study investigated why resource-rich, democratic is underdeveloped, aid-dependent poor. Using survey questionnaires semi-structured interviews, findings indicate three critical factors: Mozambique’s version democracy, particularly dominance Frelimo; "Dead Aid" state inefficiency, evidenced by weak forward backward linkages within economy, escalating insecurity in Cabo Delgado. These red flags deficits process shortfalls economy. Affluence democracy have become sundered during this recent history; paper seeks causes. One main challenge to existing deficit could be provided introduction Freedom Information Act strengthen radical media civil society groups open up politics ethical, scrutiny. Urgency required alter current regressive path treads. The study’s limitation its moderate sample size.