Elections and democracy in Botswana

Molomo, Mpho G.

AfricaBib

bibliographic database
Line

New search

The free AfricaBib App for Android is available here

Periodical issue

Leiden University catalogue

WorldCat

Title:	Elections and democracy in Botswana
Editor:	Molomo, Mpho G.
Year:	2000
Periodical:	Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies (ISSN 0256-2316)
Volume:	14
Issue:	1
Pages:	129
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Botswana
Subjects:	democracy elections 1999
External link:	https://d.lib.msu.edu/pula
Abstract:	This special issue of 'Pula' discusses the challenges presented by democracy and governance in Botswana, especially with respect to the 1999 elections. The first article, by Brian T. Mokopakgosi and Mpho G. Molomo provides context for understanding political discourse in Botswana by discussing the interface between government and opposition parties. Mogopodi Lekorwe discusses how democracy can be enhanced at the local level. T.C. Matsheka and M.Z. Botlhomilwe evaluate the relationship between economic conditions and election outcomes in Botswana. Voter apathy represents the weakest link in democratic discourse, and in an attempt to find its causes, Dorothy Mpabanga analyses trends and patterns of voting by party for the past eight general elections, from the pre-independence period in 1965 to 1999. Zitha S. Mokomane disaggregates voters according to their demographic features. Geoffrey Barei traces the declining role of chieftainship in the elections. Gloria Somolekae discusses how the frontiers of democracy have been widened through women's NGOs. Tidimane Ntsabane and Chris Ntau point to the patriarchal structure of Tswana society as one of the factors that tend to undermine youth participation in politics. Mpho G. Molomo highlights areas where the President has exercised his executive powers and in a further article he shows how electoral systems are susceptible to manipulation and also determine the rules of how leaders are elected into public office. He argues that the mixed-membership proportionality or the parallel electoral system would be best suited for Botswana. Finally, W.B. Molefe and B.S. Mguni discuss public opinion polls and their relevance and reliability in the Botswanan context.