Suchergebnisse

This book discusses how the historical dimensions in Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa are similar: dominated by oppressive settler colonialism and authoritarian independent governments, their ruling elites characterised by greed and corruption.Zimbabwe is outstandingly oppressive, plagued from the start by planned, regularised, ferocious, and unparalleled violence, as described in one chapter. Perpetrated by ZANU-PF and President Robert Mugabe, it targeted the organised urban poor. Hope arose when the trade unions created the MDC in Harare in 1999. A chapter on South Africa is also included and outlines how a small ANC elite chose external armed struggle around 1960. Their campaign marooned thousands of young people in Angolan camps, for no military gains, and the neglect of domestic political development. A new and independent formation, the United Democratic Front, from 1983, tried to build a popular, non-racial participatory democracy. However, an intolerant ANC was determined on its supremacy, and Nelson Mandela suppressed the Front in 1991. No similar democratic aspiration has subsequently appeared. Another country examined in this text is Tunisia, which, since 2010, has been totally different: utilising an organised civil society, a democratic Islamist party, and wide readiness to compromise, an open politics is being created against big odds.

Democratization in Athens : participatory democracy as a dual process of empowering the people and controlling elites -- Democratization in Britain : a long, repeated and incomplete aspiration -- Democratization in South Africa : the people versus a militarist, predominant ethno-nationalist elite -- Democracy in the capitalist heartlands : alienation and dysfunctionalities -- Democratization in Europe and North Africa : democracy regains its revolutionary potentialities -- Democratization in South Africa in 21st century : the potentialities of the organized urban poor and the hostility of a factionalized and corrupt ANC

Is Botswana still 'an African miracle'? Thanks to diamonds the country's growth rate was the highest in the world into the 1990s, and regular parliamentary elections judged free on polling day have been held since 1965. However a duopoly of presidentialism and ruling party preponderance has stimulated arrogance, complacency and corruption among the country's rulers. What is 'perpetual democracy'? The ruling BDP is kept in perpetual power by the first-past-the post election system. The President in Botswana is empowered to do whatever he pleases. President Mogae has amended the constitution to ensure the automatic succession of the Vice-President General Ian Khama, the son of Seretse and Ruth Khama. A new Directorate of Intelligence Services provides closer control of power. Why are the Khoisan confined to 'a gulag of special settlements'? The expulsion of the San from Central Kalahari Game Reserve was relentlessly enforced in 1997 and 2002. A multi-cultural coalition asserts that the government is implementing 'a philosophy of cultural genocide on the non-Tswana tribes'. How can the gift of diamonds be turned to reform? Professor Good asserts the need to strengthen and democratise the electoral and voting systems. He sees diversification as essential to reduce the dependency on diamonds. He urges the use of mineral wealth to reduce the gap between rich and poor; half of the population are at present in poverty in a rich country. KENNETH GOOD was Professor of Politics at the University of Botswana when he was expelled from the country. South Africa: Jacana