The State and Development: A Study of the Dominance of the Political Class in Zambia

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Periodical article

Title:	The State and Development: A Study of the Dominance of the Political Class in Zambia
Author:	Mijere, Nsolo J.
Year:	1988
Periodical:	Africa Today
Volume:	35
Issue:	2
Period:	2nd Quarter
Pages:	21-36
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Zambia
Subjects:	class relations political elite local government reform Development and Technology Politics and Government
External link:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/4186484
Abstract:	This paper discusses the dominance of the new ruling class (the managerial bourgeoisie) over the old ruling class (civil servants and mineworkers, allied with the colonial administration) in Zambia from the perspective of the Local Administration Act of 1980 and the controversy surrounding its adoption. The Act proposed to transfer power from the central government to UNIP (United National Independence Party) local leaders at district level. Back-benchers in Parliament and labour leaders, representing the old ruling class, which held the reins of power in rural councils, townships and municipal councils, opposed the Bill, arguing that it was undemocratic. The new UNIP political class saw the Act as an instrument for integrating local governments into UNIP structures and placing the old ruling class under the new UNIP ruling class. Ref.