Brief 2 : perils of democratization by power sharing; lessons from Zimbabwe (2009-2013)
Date
2014-08
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Publisher
University for Peace Africa Programme, Addis Ababa, ET
Abstract
Interventions by the African Union and the Southern African
Development Community (SADC) in intrastate democratization
conflicts show that power sharing is the practice of choice, possibly
becoming a norm. There seem to be an emerging consensus that
regionally mediated inclusive political pacts are the best solution to
foster peace, stability and democratization in dealing with an election
deadlock. At a closer look, elite pacts may achieve temporal stability and
negative peace at the expense of broad based long term democratization.
The case of Zimbabwe demonstrates that regionally mediated power
sharing settlements could be inimical to democratization. By insulating
political elites from civil society and the masses, leaving the fate of the
country in the hands of power interested elites, power sharing reduces the democratization process to a mere political game amongst the winning
elites. In the absence of political willingness and commitment to reform,
the former sole incumbent regime may use power sharing to regain
control of the state. To sustain momentum for democratization, domestic
and regional players should embrace broader inclusive approaches of
national dialogue to provide for high political participation, legitimacy
and durable post conflict democratic order.
Description
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Policy Brief
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Keywords
ZIMBABWE, ELECTORAL SYSTEMS, POLITICAL INFLUENCE, POWER SHARING, POLITICAL POWER, POST-CONFLICT SOCIETIES, DEMOCRATIZATION, EXCLUSION, POPULAR PARTICIPATION, NATION BUILDING
Citation
Hlamalani Chitanga, G. (2014). Brief 2 : Perils of Democratization by Power Sharing: Lessons from Zimbabwe (2009-2013). UPEACE Africa Policy Series, 1(2): 23-34.