This book provides a comprehensive account of the tumultuous political landscape of Zimbabwe. Delving into historical and contemporary perspectives, the author analyses the relationship between the ruling ZANU-PF party and the opposition, exposing the pervasive influence of foreign powers and their ‘regime change’ agendas. Amidst western-imposed economic sanctions, the book examines how political opposition has struggled to maintain its footing in the face of ZANU-PF's rhetoric on preserving the nation's sovereignty. Drawing on the powerful theoretical frameworks of Gramsci's hegemony theory and instrumentalism, the book dissects the constraints on multiparty democracy under ZANU-PF's rule. From the party's manipulation of liberation narratives to the subtle intricacies of ‘Mugabeism’, a violent and ideological stronghold, the author unveils the tactics employed to maintain power. The chapters uncover the pivotal role played by the military throughout Zimbabwe's history: from the days of the liberation struggle to the shocking events of 2017, when Mugabe's grip on power was diminished by the very force that had propped him up for decades, the author reveals how the military's involvement has thwarted opposition players' attempts to claim power. Boldly challenging the notion that constraints solely rest on ZANU-PF, this book calls attention to the shortcomings of opposition parties in navigating Zimbabwe’s treacherous political landscape. Using compelling evidence and unparalleled analysis, the book is an essential read for those seeking to understand the intricate web of power, manipulation, and struggle that has defined Zimbabwe's political journey.

This book provides the first comprehensive overview of the history of democracy in Africa and explains why the continent's democratic experiments have so often failed, as well as how they could succeed. Nic Cheeseman grapples with some of the most important questions facing Africa and democracy today, including whether international actors should try and promote democracy abroad, how to design political systems that manage ethnic diversity, and why democratic governments often make bad policy decisions. Beginning in the colonial period with the introduction of multi-party elections and ending in 2013 with the collapse of democracy in Mali and South Sudan, the book describes the rise of authoritarian states in the 1970s; the attempts of trade unions and some religious groups to check the abuse of power in the 1980s; the remarkable return of multiparty politics in the 1990s; and finally, the tragic tendency for elections to exacerbate corruption and violence.

First published in 1998, This book is written by seasoned scholars of African Studies and it intended to make a significant contribution to the debate on democracy and democratization in the continent. It contains a rich mixture of analytical ideas and views on the transition to accountable, participatory, and democratic governance structures in Africa. It provides both students of African political economy and policymakers in the continent and in-depth analysis of the post-independence experience of African countries with institutional reforms. Specifically, it looks at the struggles of Africans, since independence, to provide themselves with more appropriate and viable governance structures and economic systems that enhance the ability to entrepreneurs to create wealth. The Book breaks new ground in that it places significant emphasis on the reconstruction of the neo-colonial state as an important first step to a successful transition to democratic and more accountable governance structures.

A comparative study of the role of political parties and movements in the founding and survival of developing world democracies.

A United Nations University Press with University of Cape Town (UCT) Press publication Within southern Africa, there is an observable increase in dominant party systems, in which one political party dominates over a prolonged period of time, within a democratic system with regular elections. This party system has replaced the one-party system that dominated Africa's political landscape after the first wave of liberations in the 1950s and 1960s. This book seeks to understand this trend and its implications for southern Africa's democracies by comparing such systems in southern Africa with others in the developing world (such as India, South Korea, and Taiwan). In particular, the case of Zimbabwe stands out as a concerning example of the direction a dominant party can take: regression into authoritarianism. India, South Korea, and Taiwan present alternative routes for the dominant party system. The salient question posed by this book is: Which route are Botswana, Namibia and South Africa taking? It answers by drawing conclusions to determine whether these countries are moving toward liberal democracy, authoritarianism, or a road in between.