Comparative Politics of the Global South_ Linking Concepts and Cases, 5th Ed_week 7

Citations and References

  • Phillip A. Huxtable, "The African State Toward the Twenty-First Century: Legacies of the Critical Juncture" in The African State at a Critical Juncture, ed. by Leonardo A. Villalon and Phillip A. Huxtable.

  • Boone, "'Empirical Statehood.'"

  • Grindle, Challenging the State.

  • Nic Cheeseman and Bryan Klaas, How to Rig an Election.

  • ACLU, "Block the Vote: How Politicians Are Trying to Block Voters from the Ballot Box" (August 18, 2021).

  • Reuters, "Brazil’s Bolsonaro Says He May Not Accept 2022 Election Under Current Voting System" (July 7, 2021).

  • Cheeseman et al., "Nigeria’s WhatsApp Politics," Journal of Democracy.

  • The Economist, "Nigeria’s Twitter Ban Prompts Ridicule—and Fear" (June 12, 2021).

  • Reporters Without Borders, "World Press Freedom Index" (2021).

  • Anne Applebaum, "The Bad Guys Are Winning," The Atlantic (November 15, 2021).

  • Various articles regarding Latin America, Uganda, South Sudan, and Afghanistan report on political unrest and transitions.

Case Studies Overview

General Themes

  • There is significant variation in political history, economic conditions, and societal issues across several countries discussed.

  • Focus on countries' political reforms, reconfiguration processes, or events leading to disintegration of political systems.

  • Countries mentioned struggle between moving towards consolidated liberal democracy and reverting to authoritarian regimes.

Case Study: Mexico

  • Democratic Transition: Transition began with gradual democratization efforts; significant reforms under President Ernesto Zedillo led to democratic elections in 2000.

  • Historical Context: Dominated by the one-party system (PRI) for 71 years.

  • Major Developments: Vicente Fox led the PAN to victory in 2000, major irregularities noted during subsequent elections.

  • Current Issues: Amid several challenges like corruption and economic inequality, AMLO's 2018 election indicated significant reform promises. Despite these, centralization of power and military reliance raised concerns.

Case Study: Peru

  • Political Liberalization Attempts: History of multiple military coups and fluctuating democratic governance.

  • Alberto Fujimori’s Rule: Gained stability through authoritarian mean, eliminated terrorists, but faced backlash over constitutional violations and corruption.

  • Post-Fujimori Era: Period marked by political instability and charged electoral process, demonstrating drifting populace sentiments toward personality-driven politics.

Case Study: Nigeria

  • Militarization: Alternating civilian and military rule, with significant military influence over governance.

  • Democratic Challenges: Transition to democracy post-1999 fraught with corruption and internal political strife among elites.

  • Key Figures: Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan, and Buhari played critical roles in Nigeria’s political narrative.

Case Study: Zimbabwe

  • Long-Term Leadership: Dominated by Robert Mugabe until 2017, despite claims of democracy, significant repression of opposition.

  • Political Dynamics: Limited opposition success followed by power-sharing arrangements which eventually collapsed and returned ZANU-PF to power.

Case Study: Egypt

  • Historical Context: Mubarak's regime represented a long-standing autocratic rule with military backing.

  • Revolution: The 2011 protests epitomized popular dissent against dictatorship, yet following Mubarak’s ousting, the military maintained control through manipulative transitions.

  • Aftermath: Muslim Brotherhood’s brief governance under Morsi demonstrated internal conflicts within the revolutionary forces.

Reflection on Democratic Trends

  • Avoiding authoritarianism involves recognizing internal pressures for reform, addressing corruption, social inequalities, and the vital role of political institutions.

  • Future scenarios involve fluctuating power dynamics, the populations' demands for accountability, and the fragile nature of democratic governance in these regions.

Linking to Democracy, Semi-Autocracy & Autocracy: Reform, Reconfiguration, or Disintegration

General Themes

  • Variation in Governance: The countries exhibit a spectrum from democratic processes to authoritarian control, reflecting the ongoing struggles between reform, reconfiguration, and political disintegration.

  • Reform vs. Reversion: There is a notable tension in these countries between aspirations for consolidated liberal democracies and the threats posed by authoritarian regimes revisiting power.

Case Studies Overview

  1. Mexico

    • Democracy and Governance: Mexico's transition towards democracy following a prolonged one-party rule highlights the challenge of consolidating democratic reforms amid power centralization and military influence.

    • Reforms Under AMLO: His presidency symbolizes a commitment to political reforms, yet concerns about authoritarian tendencies remain.

  2. Peru

    • From Democracy to Authoritarianism: Fujimori's authoritarian rule exemplifies how democracies can deteriorate into authoritarian states through military intervention, reflecting a regression rather than reconfiguration.

    • Current Political Instability: The post-Fujimori landscape illustrates the fragility of democratic institutions and the rise of personality-driven politics.

  3. Nigeria

    • Military vs. Civilian Rule: The alternating governance indicates continued military influence, raising questions about the stability and integrity of democratic practices in a context of corruption and elite strife.

    • Reform Challenges: Nigeria's quest for democratic consolidation faces continuous setbacks from both internal corruption and power struggles.

  4. Zimbabwe

    • Long-standing Autocratic Rule: Zimbabwe under Mugabe demonstrates how sustained autocracy can inhibit true democratic reform, along with the significant suppression of opposition.

    • Aftermath of Power Sharing: The failed power-sharing mechanisms further complicate efforts to embrace democratic values and practices.

  5. Egypt

    • Military Dictatorship Dynamics: Post-revolution Egypt highlights the challenge of transition from an authoritarian regime to potential democratic governance, marked by military dominance after the ousting of Mubarak.

    • Role of Revolutionary Forces: The internal conflict post-revolution indicates a struggle within the movement towards democracy, as seen in the challenges faced by the Muslim Brotherhood.

Reflection on Democratic Trends

  • Addressing Internal Pressures: The path to avoiding authoritarianism in these countries necessitates a focus on internal pressures for reform, combating corruption, and recognizing the role of political institutions.

  • Future Dynamics: Future scenarios will likely involve ongoing fluctuations in power dynamics while emphasizing the necessity for societal demands for accountability and the recognition of the fragile nature of emerging democracies.