Traditional Leaders in a Democracy

Traditional Leaders in a Democracy PDF Author: Skosana, Dineo
Publisher: The Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA)
ISBN: 0639923836
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 402

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Book Description
Post-1994, South Africa's traditional leaders have fought for recognition, and positioned themselves as major players in the South African political landscape. Yet their role in a democracy is contested, with leaders often accused of abusing power, disregarding human rights, expropriating resources and promoting tribalism. Some argue that democracy and traditional leadership are irredeemably opposed and cannot co-exist. Meanwhile, shifts in the political economy of the former bantustans − the introduction of platinum mining in particular − have attracted new interests and conflicts to these areas, with chiefs often designated as custodians of community interests. This edited volume explores how chieftancy is practised, experienced and contested in contemporary South Africa. It includes case studies of how those living under the authority of chiefs, in a modern democracy, negotiate or resist this authority in their respective areas. Chapters in this book are organised around three major sites of contest: leadership, land and law.

Traditional Leaders in a Democracy

Traditional Leaders in a Democracy PDF Author: Skosana, Dineo
Publisher: The Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA)
ISBN: 0639923836
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 402

Get Book

Book Description
Post-1994, South Africa's traditional leaders have fought for recognition, and positioned themselves as major players in the South African political landscape. Yet their role in a democracy is contested, with leaders often accused of abusing power, disregarding human rights, expropriating resources and promoting tribalism. Some argue that democracy and traditional leadership are irredeemably opposed and cannot co-exist. Meanwhile, shifts in the political economy of the former bantustans − the introduction of platinum mining in particular − have attracted new interests and conflicts to these areas, with chiefs often designated as custodians of community interests. This edited volume explores how chieftancy is practised, experienced and contested in contemporary South Africa. It includes case studies of how those living under the authority of chiefs, in a modern democracy, negotiate or resist this authority in their respective areas. Chapters in this book are organised around three major sites of contest: leadership, land and law.

The Paradox of Traditional Chiefs in Democratic Africa

The Paradox of Traditional Chiefs in Democratic Africa PDF Author: Kate Baldwin
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1107127335
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 261

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Book Description
This book shows that powerful hereditary chiefs do not undermine democracy in Africa but, on some level, facilitate it.

Traditional Leadership and Democratisation in Southern Africa

Traditional Leadership and Democratisation in Southern Africa PDF Author: Sandra Düsing
Publisher: LIT Verlag Münster
ISBN: 9783825850654
Category : History
Languages : de
Pages : 412

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Book Description
What are the impacts of ethnically based, traditional political institutions on democratic state and nation building in Southern Africa and how do heterogeneous sources of legitimacy affect the prospects of long-term democratic regime consolidation? What are the impacts of "traditionalism" employed for purposes of party-political mobilization? An indicator for the political influence of traditional leadership in Southern Africa is the fact that a considerable number of democratically elected politicians in high office originate from aristocratic families, representing hereditary traditional leadership structures for centuries. This is evident for the charismatic founding president of the new South Africa; Nelson Mandela, as well as for his adversary, the prime minister-in-office, Mangosuthu Buthelezi. The careful reconsideration of this "state behind the state" has been identified as crucial, in this study, to make any realistic assessments of the prospects for sustainable democratization in Southern African countries in the near future.

South Africa's Troubled Royalty

South Africa's Troubled Royalty PDF Author: Christina Murray
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Chiefdoms
Languages : en
Pages : 40

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Book Description
This is the text of the sixth Geoffrey Sawer Lecture given by Professor Murray on 7 November 2003, in which she discusses South Africa's controversial attempts to accommodate traditional leaders in its democratic order.

Decentralized Governance and Accountability

Decentralized Governance and Accountability PDF Author: Jonathan A. Rodden
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 110849790X
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 313

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Book Description
Reviews recent lessons about decentralized governance and implications for future development programs and policies.

Democracy Compromised

Democracy Compromised PDF Author: Lungisile Ntsebeza
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9047407903
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 336

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Book Description
This book argues that the promulgation of the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework and Communal Land Rights Acts runs the risk of compromising South Africa's democracy. The acts establish traditional councils with land administration powers. These structures are dominated by unelected members.

Traditional Leaders and Local Government in Africa

Traditional Leaders and Local Government in Africa PDF Author: Christiaan Keulder
Publisher: HSRC Press
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 400

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Book Description
The aim of this book is fourfold: firstly, to investigate, compare and analyze the role and functions of traditional authorities in four African states; secondly, to reflect on the relationship between traditional authorities and local and national governments by investigating the formal and informal arrangements that exist between them; thirdly, to provide an overview of the role afforded to traditional authorities, by indicating their functions, decision-making powers and administrative functions; and finally, to provide possible lessons for South Africa deduced from these experiences.

Introducing Democracy

Introducing Democracy PDF Author: David Beetham
Publisher: UNESCO
ISBN: 9231040871
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 133

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Book Description
Presents a selection of questions and answers covering the principles of democracy, including human rights, free and fair elections, open and accountable government, and civil society.

Traditional Institutions and Public Administration in Democratic Africa

Traditional Institutions and Public Administration in Democratic Africa PDF Author: Kwame Badu Antwi-Boasiako; Okyere B
Publisher: Xlibris Corporation
ISBN: 1462822614
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 206

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Book Description
Traditional Institutions and Public Administration in Democratic Africa tackles the most pressing contemporary administrative issues of Africa. The first chapter opens with a thorough discussion on neo-colonialism in Africa. It questions the authenticity of African democracy as it points out the presence of groups and individuals who exploit African resources to their advantage. The chains of colonialism have perpetually defeated democracy in Africa and the former oppressors continue to financially and politically control their former colonies. The authors probe into the traditional institutions as well as the functions of the government to explain the political status quo of Africa. It emphasizes the negative impact of adhering to democratic structures that impair the positive practices and values of the traditional African administrative culture. An eye-opener, Traditional Institutions and Public Administration in Democratic Africa boldly exposes revolutionary views that challenge and defy democracy in Africa

How Democracies Die

How Democracies Die PDF Author: Steven Levitsky
Publisher: Crown
ISBN: 1524762946
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 321

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Book Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “Comprehensive, enlightening, and terrifyingly timely.”—The New York Times Book Review (Editors' Choice) WINNER OF THE GOLDSMITH BOOK PRIZE • SHORTLISTED FOR THE LIONEL GELBER PRIZE • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The Washington Post • Time • Foreign Affairs • WBUR • Paste Donald Trump’s presidency has raised a question that many of us never thought we’d be asking: Is our democracy in danger? Harvard professors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt have spent more than twenty years studying the breakdown of democracies in Europe and Latin America, and they believe the answer is yes. Democracy no longer ends with a bang—in a revolution or military coup—but with a whimper: the slow, steady weakening of critical institutions, such as the judiciary and the press, and the gradual erosion of long-standing political norms. The good news is that there are several exit ramps on the road to authoritarianism. The bad news is that, by electing Trump, we have already passed the first one. Drawing on decades of research and a wide range of historical and global examples, from 1930s Europe to contemporary Hungary, Turkey, and Venezuela, to the American South during Jim Crow, Levitsky and Ziblatt show how democracies die—and how ours can be saved. Praise for How Democracies Die “What we desperately need is a sober, dispassionate look at the current state of affairs. Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, two of the most respected scholars in the field of democracy studies, offer just that.”—The Washington Post “Where Levitsky and Ziblatt make their mark is in weaving together political science and historical analysis of both domestic and international democratic crises; in doing so, they expand the conversation beyond Trump and before him, to other countries and to the deep structure of American democracy and politics.”—Ezra Klein, Vox “If you only read one book for the rest of the year, read How Democracies Die. . . .This is not a book for just Democrats or Republicans. It is a book for all Americans. It is nonpartisan. It is fact based. It is deeply rooted in history. . . . The best commentary on our politics, no contest.”—Michael Morrell, former Acting Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (via Twitter) “A smart and deeply informed book about the ways in which democracy is being undermined in dozens of countries around the world, and in ways that are perfectly legal.”—Fareed Zakaria, CNN