Africa: Doing Better Economically, Doing Worse in Governance

So says the Mo Ibrahim Foundation 2010 Index. This Index is one of the best ways to assess how African countries are doing economically and politically. It measures aspects such as safety and rule of law, political participation and human rights, sustainable economic opportunity, and human development. According to the Index, Mauritius ranks #1 and Somalia ranks last, of the 53 countries surveyed. South Africa is #5, Nigeria #40. See the Index here. By the look of things, African countries seem to be following the model of China - limited political participation, enhanced economic development? But must the two be mutually exclusive?