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3 into two sets.2 The first set of factors consists of the quality of its political procedures (such as elections, the observance and enforcement of the rule of law, protection of rights) and of its formal institutions (such as executives, legislatures, courts, and sub- national governments). [...] In Namibia, only 26% say that freedom to criticise the government is essential (perhaps reflective of the state of emergency that existed at the time of the survey. [...] In every country except Namibia and Lesotho, it is one of the three most trusted institutions, and in every country with the notable exception of Lesotho it is trusted by a majority of the public. [...] In the short run, however, two other important evaluations that may shape perceptions of government legitimacy are, first, the sense that the incumbents of state offices are responsive to public opinion, broadly, and second, the sense that state institutions are transparent and practice "good government." Responsiveness In order to measure people's sense of the degree to which government instituti. [...] At its least extreme, the extent of the average perception of corruption in government is four times higher than the extent of the average of actual experience with corruption (in Namibia).
This title was first published in 2000: The continent of Africa is undergoing great change. While on the one hand there is talk of a re-awakening of Africa or Renaissance various countries in Africa are still plagued by poverty, intra- and interstate violence. In some countries the legacy of neo-colonialism and under development contributed to social strife and the potential criminalization of the State. This book addresses the topic of democratization and sustainable democracy in Africa against this background.
What conditions motivate a transition to democracy? Can the dynamics of a transition influence its outcome? Under what circumstances has democracy been consolidated in Africa? This trilogy of questions has become necessary in light of the current democratic wave engulfing Africa and the rest of the world. In examining the conditions that initiate democratic transitions, this book investigates the circumstances under which democracy movements have operated between 1980 and 1990. It concludes that, contrary to dominant democratic theory, the transitions to democracy in Africa have occurred under declining levels of development. With regard to transitions, the book recognizes that they have their own dynamics. Two main types of transitions are discerned: top-down and bottom-up. The book argues that in spite of the restrictive nature of top-down transitions, they offer a better opportunity for democratic consolidation because of the consensus between elites of the pro-democracy regime and their counterparts in the authoritarian regime, a condition that is normally absent under bottom-up transitions. Finally, relying on the cases of consolidated democracies, the book derives an African democracy model. The model delineates five main conditions that facilitate democratic consolidation, including good leadership, relevant political institutions, external support, civic space, and a reasonable level of development. It cautions, however, that these are not sufficient conditions, nor are all of them necessary. Since countries have unique historical circumstances, specific countries will have to combine conditions in the model that are relevant to that society to consolidate its democracy. The right combination will depend on the specific needs of the individual country.
Introduction: Public opinion and the prospects for democratic consolidation in South Africa 1999-2001 - Politics, governance and civic knowledge -- Political party preferences -- Provincial living preferences in South Africa -- Identity and voting trends in South Africa -- Race relations -- Addressing HIV/AIDS -- Spirituality in South Africa: Christian beliefs -- Perceptions about economic issues -- National priorities -- Environmental concerns -- Civil society participation -- Information and communications technologies -- Families and social networks -- Human rights.
Opinion Polls and the Media provides the most comprehensive analysis to date on the relationship between the media, opinion polls, and public opinion. Looking at the extent to which the media, through their use of opinion polls, both reflect and shape public opinion, it brings together a team of leading scholars and analyzes theoretical and methodological approaches to the media and their use of opinion polls. The contributors explore how the media use opinion polls in a range of countries across the world, and analyze the effects and uses of opinion polls by the public as well as political actors.
Appendix: The Data Set.
Are ordinary citizens capable of shaping foreign policy? To answer this question, fifteen established and emerging scholars use South Africa as a case study to assess the extent to which democratic consolidation can be translated into the realm of foreign policy. Contributors discuss the South African Development Community as an arena of transnational democracy, the impact of European Union trade policy, and the significance of South Africa's controversial 'arms deals' as they explore the opportunities and constraints facing recently democratized societies in the Southern Hemisphere. Democratizing Foreign Policy? Lessons from South Africa provides a broad-ranging assessment--investigating conceptual issues regarding the role of women, think tanks, civil society, labor movements, and the impact of globalization upon the process of foreign policy making--of the opportunities and challenges involved in opening the process of foreign policy making to civil society and the need to do so if the developing world is to better manage the complexities of globalization.
South Africa's democracy faces increasing challenges from within, whether from protest, bad governance or general public dissatisfaction. South Africa ́s Democracy at the Crossroads explores the question; what are the challenges to future democratization in South Africa?