Legislative institutionalization in Mozambique : a comparative analysis of three legislatures
Date
2013
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University for Peace Africa Programme, Addis Ababa, ET
Abstract
This study assesses and compares legislative institutionalization by employing statistical analysis and original data from the first three Mozambican democratic legislatures. Two out of three measures used pointed to the Assembly being relatively institutionalized. By the first measure, the Assembly tends not to be institutionalized—that is, membership tends to be unstable, and it experiences frequent turnover. By the second and third measures, however, the Assembly is moving toward institutionalization. First, its leaders tend to be selected at least after having served for a time in office. Second, rather than using particularistic criteria or a discretionary method for conducting its internal business, the Assembly employs universalistic criteria. The procedure for distributing positions of power is based on legislators’ political capital, indicated by formal education, and seniority. The findings also reveal that while Mozambican legislatures are moving toward institutionalization, the current level of institutionalization remains low.
Description
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Journal Article (peer-reviewed)
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Keywords
LEGISLATIVE POWER, INSTITUTION BUILDING, POLICY MAKING, POLITICAL POWER, PARLIAMENT, MOZAMBIQUE, PEACEBUILDING, POST-CONFLICT RECONSTRUCTION, POLSBY’S FORMULATION, DATA ANALYSIS
Citation
Shenga, C. (2013). Legislative Institutionalization in Mozambique: A Comparative Analysis of Three Legislatures. Africa Peace and Conflict Journal, 6(2): 1-16.