This chapter examined the global political systems in history and what the inherent trends may mean for citizenship and leadership in Africa, both in the present and in the future. Within the main thrust of liberal democracy (polyarchy), citizenship is defined, and liberal democracy is posited as a compelling 21st-century alternative. Further trends in politics, economics, and education have been analysed given the changing global contexts and utilised to reimagine the leadership implications for Africa's future. It is also noted that strategies for leadership development, particularly in the practice of liberal democracy, may be instrumental in a sustainable democratic polity. Such could help citizens effectively address Africa's global challenges to meet future needs.
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History is replete with examples of citizens’ insatiable desire to free themselves from largely brutal, and centralised regimes to create devolved and independent centres of power. The emancipation from slavery and colonialism is one such example for Africa. This chapter explored the historical trends in geopolitical citizenship to show how these contributed towards polyarchal ideologies of the present, and how they in turn point to a much more polyarchal future, which demands a massive shift in future leadership practices. The implications for future leadership point to distributive forms and further loosening of formal roles within organisations, coupled with devolution of power from the centre, and allowing followers to exercise some power and influence, either individually, through teams or as local communities (Dahl, 1989: 2015). A review of historical trends in geopolitical citizenship was conducted, coupled with scientific research, to determine citizenship challenges for Africa in the future. Evidence suggests a departure from autocracies to a gradual rise towards a more polyarchal future and a multipolar worldview. Such will be harnessed by advances in technology and improvement in the observance of human rights, culminating in the broader acceptance of liberal democracies globally (Campbell, 2011: Meyer, 2020). In such an environment, emerging markets in the developing world will immensely benefit economically due to these rising polyarchal ideologies and the loosening grip of previously imperialistic and autocratic forces. Such will benefit citizens in key areas, such as improved healthcare, education, and welfare. While Africa is generally endowed with natural wealth and has some of the world's fastest-growing economies, this has not been effectively harnessed in most countries. This has been due to illiberal tendencies that tend to muzzle political space and lead to inability to provide adequate social security and safety nets for most citizens.
Over the last fifty years, liberal democratic trends have emerged stronger and are set to surge in the 21st century to impact leadership practice at every level. The advances in technology, which have helped increase the spirit of individualism, will tend to drive and sustain such liberal trends in the future (Future Timeline, 2014). This chapter considered the conceptualisations of citizenship, the geopolitical systems in history, and how they shape notions of citizenship up to the present, and the future trends and implications posited on leadership practice in Africa.