Military, Politics and Democratization in Southern Africa

This book explores multiple challenges faced by democratization in Southern Africa. Applying a wider lens to the concept of political transition and employing a variety of theoretical and methodological approaches, the contributions gathered here explore residual political cultural practices that hinder democratic consolidation in Southern Africa. Presenting various case studies, the book tackles themes such as the military-political nexus, leadership renewal, constitutionalism, electoral politics, election violence, marginalization of women, civil society and political transition, media framing and transitional justice.

Written from a multidisciplinary perspective and drawing on empirical data from multiple sources, this edited volume challenges orthodox conceptualizations of political transition. The book will be of interest to students and scholars of political science, African studies, and related fields, as well as policy-makers and professionals interested in thelatest political developments in Southern Africa.

Explores the diverse experiences of political transition in Southern Africa Examines politicalcultural practices that facilitate or hinder democratization in the region Is written from a multidisciplinary perspective

Autorentext

Tendai Chari is an Associate Professor of Media Studies and NRF rated scholar at the University of Venda, South Africa. He holds a PhD in media studies from the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa. Previously he lectured at several universities in Africa, including the University of Zimbabwe, where he was Head of the Media Programme. Chari is widely published in the field of media studies. His research focuses on political communication, digital media, media ethics and popular culture. Chari is a fellow of the African Humanities Program of the American Council of Learned Societies.

Patrick Dzimiri is an Associate Professor at the University of Venda, South Africa, specializing in International Relations. With a PhD in the field, he has extensive experience in teaching and publishing in peer-reviewed journals. While his research covered human rights, human security, and humanitarian affairs, his recent focus shifted to community-specific investigations. He aims to produce practical research outcomes in migration politics, governance, development, sustainable livelihoods, and inequalities in multicultural settings. His research aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16, promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development.

Inhalt
Chapter 1. Introduction. Rethinking political transition in southern Africa: threats and challenges to democratic consolidation (Tendai Chari).- Part I. Military and Political Transition.- Chapter 2. Praetorianism and political transitions in Lesotho: A critique of the Lesotho military (Dylan Yanano Mangani).- Chapter 3. The Military and politics in Zimbabwe, 1970s to 2018 (Gilbert Tarugarira).- Chapter 4. Political leadership in Zimbabwe in the aftermath of the military coup. Change without change? (Mazorodze Washington).- Chapter 5. Military orchestrated leadership change in Zimbabwe and the quest for political transition (Patrick Dzimiri).- Chapter 6. Political transition and (anti)democratic culture in Zimbabwe: Press discourses on the November 2017 Military Coup (Tendai Chari).- Part II. Electoral Politics and Democratisation.- Chapter 7. Fresh presidential election in Malawi, June 2020: Implications on Malawi's democracy (Tiyesere Mercy Chikapa- Jamali).