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Demokratiese konsolidasie in Afrika : 'n vergelykende studie tussen Botswana en Mauritius

Thesis (MA (Political Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006.

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Main Author: Slabbert, Nica-Elize
Other Authors: Breytenbach, W. J.
Format: Thesis
Language:Afrikaans
Published: Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch 2008
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access_status_str Open Access
author Slabbert, Nica-Elize
author2 Breytenbach, W. J.
author_browse Breytenbach, W. J.
Slabbert, Nica-Elize
author_facet Breytenbach, W. J.
Slabbert, Nica-Elize
author_sort Slabbert, Nica-Elize
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv University of Stellenbosch
description Thesis (MA (Political Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006.
format Thesis
id oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/1034
institution Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
language Afrikaans
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:41:29.531Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
publishDate 2008
publishDateRange 2008
publishDateSort 2008
publisher Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
publisherStr Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
record_format dspace
source_str SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
spelling oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/1034 Demokratiese konsolidasie in Afrika : 'n vergelykende studie tussen Botswana en Mauritius Slabbert, Nica-Elize Breytenbach, W. J. University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Political Science. Dissertations -- Political science Consolidated democracies Theses -- Political science Botswana -- Economic conditions Mauritius -- Economic conditions Democracy -- Botswana Democracy -- Mauritius Mauritius -- Economic conditions Thesis (MA (Political Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Botswana and Mauritius have been operating as stable, multi-party democracies since their independence, in 1966 and 1968 respectively. It is unclear, however, which country is the most consolidated democracy. Therefore, this study compares Botswana and Mauritius, using specific criteria as developed by writers such as Huntington (1991), Linz and Stepan (1996), Przeworski (1996) and Schedler (1998 and 2001) to determine which country is the most consolidated democracy. The criteria used to determine the most consolidated democracy, can broadly be subdivided as follows. Firstly, institutions impacting on democratic consolidation, and the presence of these institutions in Botswana and Mauritius will be studied, such as the rule of law; whether the respective countries are characterised by a system of Presidentialism or Parliamentarianism; the electoral system used; whether elections are competitive, free and fair, and whether these elections resulted in a peaceful change in political power; the presence of a usable state bureaucracy; and lastly, the rankings by Freedom House will be used to determine to what extent citizen political and civil rights are protected and guaranteed. Secondly, the socio-economic factors impacting on the erosion or deepening of democratic consolidation will be studied, with the focus on trends since independence. These factors include the existence of an economic society; per capita income; economic growth and inflation; as well as inequality reduction within the respective countries. Lastly, the social conditions influencing democratic consolidation will also be studied, such as ethnic homogeneity or heterogeneity; the prevalence and size of the middle class as influenced by urbanization and adult literacy; and lastly, the prevalence and role of civil society. Botswana and Mauritius were compared using the above criteria. This study comes to the conclusion that Mauritius is the most consolidated democracy. The following findings support the conclusion that Mauritius is the most consolidated democracy. Mauritius is a rechtsstaat, whilst Botswana is not. In Mauritius, there is a distinction between the position of Head of State and Head of Government, in contrast to the extensive power given to the President in Botswana. There is no single dominant party in Mauritius, whilst the political sphere in Botswana is characterised by the dominance of the BDP since independence. The FPTP electoral system in Mauritius is supplemented by the BLS, in an effort to ensure sufficient representation to minority groups in the National Assembly, whilst Botswana only uses the FPTP electoral system. Elections in Mauritius are considered to be competitive, free and fair, whilst the fairness of Botswana’s elections, given the electoral system, have been questioned. Mauritius also passes Huntington’s Two Turnover test, as there have been three changes in political power, whilst the BDP in Botswana have won every election since independence. Mauritius’ position on the HDI is much better than the position of Botswana, and the consociational compromises agreed upon in Mauritius resulted in a social environment which assists democratic consolidation. Lastly, Mauritius is also characterised by a lively civil society, whilst civil society in Botswana is considered to be a-political and weak. Masters 2008-07-29T11:44:59Z 2010-05-31T09:13:40Z 2008-07-29T11:44:59Z 2010-05-31T09:13:40Z 2006-12 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/1034 af University of Stellenbosch xv, 102 leaves ; 30 cm. application/pdf Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
spellingShingle Dissertations -- Political science
Consolidated democracies
Theses -- Political science
Botswana -- Economic conditions
Mauritius -- Economic conditions
Democracy -- Botswana
Democracy -- Mauritius
Mauritius -- Economic conditions
Slabbert, Nica-Elize
Demokratiese konsolidasie in Afrika : 'n vergelykende studie tussen Botswana en Mauritius
title Demokratiese konsolidasie in Afrika : 'n vergelykende studie tussen Botswana en Mauritius
title_full Demokratiese konsolidasie in Afrika : 'n vergelykende studie tussen Botswana en Mauritius
title_fullStr Demokratiese konsolidasie in Afrika : 'n vergelykende studie tussen Botswana en Mauritius
title_full_unstemmed Demokratiese konsolidasie in Afrika : 'n vergelykende studie tussen Botswana en Mauritius
title_short Demokratiese konsolidasie in Afrika : 'n vergelykende studie tussen Botswana en Mauritius
title_sort demokratiese konsolidasie in afrika n vergelykende studie tussen botswana en mauritius
topic Dissertations -- Political science
Consolidated democracies
Theses -- Political science
Botswana -- Economic conditions
Mauritius -- Economic conditions
Democracy -- Botswana
Democracy -- Mauritius
Mauritius -- Economic conditions
url http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/1034
work_keys_str_mv AT slabbertnicaelize demokratiesekonsolidasieinafrikanvergelykendestudietussenbotswanaenmauritius