Military, Politics and Democratization in Southern Africa: The Quest for Political Transition (Advances in African Economic, Social and Political Development)

✍ Scribed by Tendai Chari (editor), Patrick Dzimiri (editor)

• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 2023
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 289
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This book explores multiple challenges faced by democratization in Southern Africa. Applying a wider lens to the concept of political transition and employing a variety of theoretical and methodological approaches, the contributions gathered here explore residual political cultural practices that hinder democratic consolidation in Southern Africa. Presenting various case studies, the book tackles themes such as the military-political nexus, leadership renewal, constitutionalism, electoral politics, election violence, marginalization of women, civil society and political transition, media framing and transitional justice.

Written from a multidisciplinary perspective and drawing on empirical data from multiple sources, this edited volume challenges orthodox conceptualizations of political transition. The book will be of interest to students and scholars of political science, African studies, and related fields, as well as policy-makers and professionals interested in thelatest political developments in Southern Africa.

✦ Table of Contents

Foreword
Acknowledgements
Contents
Editors and Contributors
Abbreviations
List of Figures
List of Tables
Introduction
Introduction
Revisiting the Notion of Political Transition
Democratic Consolidation
Anti-democratic and Undemocratic Political Cultures
References
Military and Political Transition
Praetorianism and Political Transitions in Lesotho: A Critique of the Lesotho Military
Introduction
Methodology and Conceptual Underpinnings
The Role of the Military in the Breakdown of Democracy in Lesotho
Praetorian Militaries and Political Transitions
Conclusion
References
The Military and Politics in Zimbabwe, 1970s to 2018
Introduction
The Military, Professionalism, and Democracy
The Military and Zimbabwean Politics in the 1970s
Zimbabwe’s Military Under Robert Mugabe
Zimbabwe’s Inseparable Twins: Military and Politics (2000–2017)
The “Soft” 2017 Coup
Regional Implications
Conclusion
References
Political Leadership in Zimbabwe in the Aftermath of the Military Coup. Change Without Change?
Introduction
Background to the New Dispensation
The Grievance Theory
Understanding the Role of the Security Sector in Zimbabwean Politics Under Mugabe
The Coup that Was not a Coup: What Really Transpired?
Civil–Military Relations in Zimbabwe Under the New Dispensation: Is There Any Difference from the Old Regime?
A Promising Start in Post-mugabe Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is Open for Business
New Government Makes Efforts to Re-Engage the West as Sanctions Continue to Haunt Zimbabwe
EU Observers Are Invited to Monitor Harmonised 2018 Elections
Urban Transport System is Revamped to Cater for the Poor
New Dispensation Appoints New Cabinet Ministers, Discards Old Wood
Political Actors Dialogue Formed to Co-Opt Opposition into Government but the Main Opposition Snubs the Call
A Veil of Taboo on Gukurahundi Removed as New Government Encourages Open Discussion
Leadership Change without Change as Earlier Deception is Revealed
Traditional Leaders Used to Manipulate Voters
Human Rights Violations and Constitutional Amendments Under the New Dispensation
Corruption Remains a Challenge Despite the Rhetoric Against It
Conclusion
References
Military Orchestrated Leadership Change in Zimbabwe and the Quest for Political Transition
Introduction
Theoretical Insights into Zimbabwe’s Political Crises
Elite Formation, Politicisation, and Militarisation of Politics
The Challenge of Non-governing Elite
Intra-Zanu-PF Factional Battles and Military Intervention
The Military Takeover of the Political Space
Conclusion
References
Political Transition and Anti-democratic Culture in Zimbabwe: Press Discourses on the November 2017 Military Coup
Introduction
Media and Political Transition: Current Trends and Perspectives
Theorising Political Culture
Methodological Discussion
Data Collection and Analysis
Legitimation
Personalisation: Boogey Men and Big Men
Normalisation and Silence
Concluding Remarks
References
Electoral Politics and Democratisation
Fresh Presidential Election in Malawi, June 2020: Implications on Malawi’s Democracy
Introduction
Elections in Malawi
Campaign
Institutions and Rules Governing Presidential Elections
Fresh Presidential Election
Implications
Conclusion
References
Women and Electoral Violence: The Case of Mozambique
Introduction
Methods and Materials
Results
Actors, Places and Time
Patterns of Gender-Based Electoral Violence
Discussion
Conclusion
References
The Electoral System and Accountability in the Democratic South Africa: Calls for Electoral Reform
Introduction
Overview of Democracy in South Africa
The Path to Democracy in South Africa
Evolution of Political Party Systems
Political Parties—Role and Functions
Electoral Systems in a Democracy
Proportional Representation System
Electoral Systems and Accountability
Conclusion
References
Electoral Systems, Political Party Coalitions and Political Polarisation in Local Governments: A Review of Service Delivery Challenges in South Africa
Introduction
Contextualising Service Delivery from a Politics-Administration Interface
Conceptualising South Africa’s Local Government Electoral System
Understanding Coalitions in South Africa
Conceptualising Political Polarisation
An Overview of Local Government in South Africa
Methodology
Electoral Systems on Service Delivery in South Africa
Political Polarisation on Service Delivery in South Africa
Coalition Governments on Service Delivery in South Africa
Conclusion
References
Constitutionalism, Governance and Transitional Justice
Constitutionalism and Leadership Renewal in the African National Congress: Lessons for Other African States
Introduction
Constitutionalism and Political Transition
Constitutionalism and Leadership Renewal in the African Context
Timeline on Leadership Renewal in South Africa Since 1994
Leadership Renewal and Its Relationship with Party and National Constitution
Conclusion
References
The Marginalised Majority—The Case of Botswana Women in Local Government (1999–2019)
Introduction
Background
The Case for Women’s Participation in Local Government—An Overview
Obstacles to Women Participation in Local Government Politics
Councillor Workload
Divided Loyalties
Organisation of Local Government
Lack of Finances
An Overview of Local Government in Botswana
Why Botswana Women in Local Government?
Methodology
Data Collection Methods and Instruments
Key Findings and Analysis
Appropriateness/Timing of Council Meetings
Divided Loyalties
Women Are Invisible and Only Feature as Mere Statistics
Patriarchal Attitudes Couched in Culture
Financing During Campaigns
Conclusion
References
The Role of the Church in National Healing and Reconciliation: The Case of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe from 1999 to 2009
Introduction
Theoretical and Conceptual Issues
The Political Context
Findings and Data Analysis
Analysis of Study Findings
Conclusion
References
Index