The concept of opposition and the structure of opposition in Malawi

In: Commonwealth and comparative politics, Band 51, Heft 3, S. 306-325

Abstract

This article discusses the nature of 'opposition' parties in Malawi in the period after the re-introduction of multiparty elections in 1994. The paper shows that it is problematic to apply ideas of political opposition, as formulated by Robert A. Dahl, to the case of Malawi. Leaders join coalition governments even as parts of their own parliamentary group decide to remain in opposition. Parties can therefore be in government and in opposition at the same time. This is due to the fact that political parties in Malawi are poorly institutionalised and characterised by central leadership dominance, weak party organisations and marginal policy differences. Adapted from the source document.