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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:A theoretical perspective on prospects for democratic stability in Lesotho
Author:Akokpari, John K.ISNI
Year:1998
Periodical:Lesotho Social Sciences Review (ISSN 1028-0790)
Volume:4
Issue:2
Period:December
Pages:65-82
Language:English
Notes:biblio. refs.
Geographic terms:Lesotho
Southern Africa
Subjects:democracy
politics
Political development
economic development
political conflicts
underdevelopment
poverty
Abstract:Lesotho's losing parties' tradition of disputing electoral results reflects the fragility of the country's democracy. Although various theoretical explanations, including the historical, modernization and personal rule arguments, have been offered as the causes of democratic decadence, this paper argues that the crisis of democracy in Africa in general and Lesotho in particular is rooted in the weakness of the economy. Under conditions of economic scarcity, the State inevitably becomes both the channel and the source of accumulation. Competition for the control of the State thus becomes keen. Despite its fragile economy, Lesotho has the potential to establish a durable democracy. The country's homogeneous character, the potentially positive role of the monarchy, the tolerant culture of the Sotho, as well as the potentially positive contribution of South Africa, permit this optimism. In the final analysis, however, Lesotho will still need to address the critical questions of unemployment and poverty. Bibliogr., sum.
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