4 - The Multiparty Promise Betrayed: The Failure of Neo-Liberalism in Malawi
Corresponding Author(s) : Nixon S. Khembo
Africa Development,
Vol. 29 No. 2 (2004): Africa Development
Abstract
The advent of multiparty politics in Malawi in June 1993 was not immediately perceived as the harbinger of a myriad of political twists and turns that have now confounded many. Emerging from the grip of a 30-year-old totalitarian regime, Malawians had every reason to jubilate when the pro-multiparty politics movement triumphed after the June 14, 1993 national referendum results were announced in which the movement was awarded a 64 percent victory of the vote cast to allow multiparty politics to be re-introduced into the country. First, this paper argues that the new multiparty system of government in the country is caught up in neo-liberal and neo-patrimonial puzzles that undermine the process of démocratisation. Second, that this state of affairs is rooted in the failure of neo-liberalism in Malawi; thus, the Malawian case has demonstrated that when neo-liberalism flounders, despotism recurs in a cycle of regime change. Third, that the selective application and the strange interpretation of constitutional law in Malawian politics is a clear manifestation of the existence, and draconian domination, of this despotism. Fourth, and finally, that liberal ideology, by its very nature, is a major drawback to the creation of a truly just state in Malawi.
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- Coen, M. & Laakso, L., eds., 2002, Multiparty Elections in Africa, London, Palgrave. Constitution of the Republic of Malawi. 1999, Gothenburg, N ovum Grafiska AB. Englund, H., ed., 2002, A Democracy of Chameleons: Politics and Culture in New Malawi, CLAIM/Mabuku. Held, D., 1987, Models of Democracy, Cambridge, Polity Press. Heidenheimer, A.J., 1997, Political Corruption - A Handbook, Transaction Publishers. Heywood, A., 1992, Political Ideologies - An Introduction, London, Macmillan Press Ltd. Heywood, P., ed., 1997, Political Corruption, Oxford, Blackwell Publishers. Kanyongolo, F.E., 2002, 'Constitutionalism and the Removal of Presidential Term Limits from the Constitution of Malawi', unpublished paper presented at the University of Malawi, Law Students Symposium, Blantyre. Kaniki, A.O.J., 2001, 'Africa: Constitutions Without Constitutionalism - A threat to Democracy', Southern Africa Economist, SAPEM, Vol. 14, No. 5. Ott, M. et al., eds., 2000, Malawis Second Democratic Elections: Process, Problems and Prospects, Kachere Series, CLAIM/claim. Poschke, R & Chirwa, W., 1998, Democracy in Malawi: Socio-Anthropological Conditions, A study commissioned by the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), Bonn and Lilongwe, May. Sachikonye, L.M., 2001, 'Changing Constitutions for Convenience', Southern Africa Economist, SAPEM, Vol. 14, No. 5. Sabine, G. H. & Thorson, T.L., 1973, A History of Political Theory, Rinehart &Winston Inc.
References
Coen, M. & Laakso, L., eds., 2002, Multiparty Elections in Africa, London, Palgrave. Constitution of the Republic of Malawi. 1999, Gothenburg, N ovum Grafiska AB. Englund, H., ed., 2002, A Democracy of Chameleons: Politics and Culture in New Malawi, CLAIM/Mabuku. Held, D., 1987, Models of Democracy, Cambridge, Polity Press. Heidenheimer, A.J., 1997, Political Corruption - A Handbook, Transaction Publishers. Heywood, A., 1992, Political Ideologies - An Introduction, London, Macmillan Press Ltd. Heywood, P., ed., 1997, Political Corruption, Oxford, Blackwell Publishers. Kanyongolo, F.E., 2002, 'Constitutionalism and the Removal of Presidential Term Limits from the Constitution of Malawi', unpublished paper presented at the University of Malawi, Law Students Symposium, Blantyre. Kaniki, A.O.J., 2001, 'Africa: Constitutions Without Constitutionalism - A threat to Democracy', Southern Africa Economist, SAPEM, Vol. 14, No. 5. Ott, M. et al., eds., 2000, Malawis Second Democratic Elections: Process, Problems and Prospects, Kachere Series, CLAIM/claim. Poschke, R & Chirwa, W., 1998, Democracy in Malawi: Socio-Anthropological Conditions, A study commissioned by the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), Bonn and Lilongwe, May. Sachikonye, L.M., 2001, 'Changing Constitutions for Convenience', Southern Africa Economist, SAPEM, Vol. 14, No. 5. Sabine, G. H. & Thorson, T.L., 1973, A History of Political Theory, Rinehart &Winston Inc.