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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:The Political Opposition in Botswana: The Politics of Factionalism and Fragmentation
Author:Osei-Hwedie, Bertha Z.ISNI
Year:2001
Periodical:Transformation: Critical Perspectives on Southern Africa
Issue:45
Pages:57-77
Language:English
Geographic term:Botswana
Subjects:political parties
opposition parties
Politics and Government
External link:https://d.lib.msu.edu/tran/426/OBJ/download
Abstract:In postcolonial Africa, in spite of the resurgence in multipartyism, it has been rare for opposition parties to assume power through the electoral process. This applies even to Botswana, one of Africa's long-established democracies. This paper analyses why the opposition has neither been able to take over governmental power in Botswana nor even pose a threat to the ruling group's national domination of the political arena since independence in 1966. The paper argues that the opposition's electoral weakness stems from lack of organizational capability, inadequate financial resources and lack of intra and interparty cohesion. Attempts at bolstering the strength of opposition parties through an electoral alliance have not been successful. The opposition remains divided into warring factions which criticize and undermine each other rather than capitalizing on errors of the ruling BDP (Botswana Democratic Party). A combination of good economic political performance by the BDP and factionalism within the opposition contributed to the BDP's landslide victory in the 1999 elections. Bibliogr.
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