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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Electoral Systems, Constitutionalism and Conflict Management in Southern Africa
Author:Matlosa, KhabeleISNI
Year:2004
Periodical:African Journal on Conflict Resolution
Volume:4
Issue:2
Pages:11-53
Language:English
Geographic terms:Southern Africa
Lesotho
Mauritius
Subjects:elections
conflict resolution
constitutions
electoral systems
Politics and Government
Law, Human Rights and Violence
Inter-African Relations
External link:https://www.accord.org.za/ajcr-issues/%ef%bf%bcelectoral-systems-constitutionalism-and-conflict-management-in-southern-africa/
Abstract:This paper examines the possible linkages between elections, electoral systems, constitutionalism and conflict management in order to find out how these phenomena either enhance or undermine democratic governance in southern Africa. It discusses the essence of electoral systems to democratic governance in southern Africa; provides a comparative analysis of various electoral systems globally and throughout the SADC region in particular, focusing on the more dominant electoral systems in the region, namely the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system, and the proportional representation (PR) system; and interrogates the possible linkages between elections/electoral systems and conflict management. Then, it focuses on efforts towards electoral systems reform in the SADC region with a view not only to deepen democratic governance and constitutionalism, but also to ensure peace and stability through constructive conflict management. The electoral system reform process in Lesotho and Mauritius's electoral reform efforts serve as an illustration. Finally, the paper proposes that SADC States should deliberately transform their electoral systems towards some form of the mixed member proportionality (MMP) system, along the path recently followed by Lesotho and currently underway in Mauritius. Bibliogr., sum. [ASC Leiden abstract]
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