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

Page 1

References and Citations

  • Phillip A. Huxtable: "The African State Toward the Twenty-First Century: Legacies of the Critical Juncture" in The African State at a Critical Juncture.

  • Nic Cheeseman & Bryan Klaas (2019): Discuss the manipulation of elections.

  • Reuters (2021): Bolsonaro's comments on election acceptance in Brazil.

  • Human Rights Reports: Emphasis on violence against journalists and political dissent in various countries.

Current Political Climate in Africa

  • Nigeria: Issues surrounding the influence of social media in politics.

  • Journalist Imprisonment: Record numbers reported, indicating a decline in press freedom.

  • Election Legitimacy: Several countries face challenges in democratic processes.

Page 2

Academic References

  • Wiarda & Kline: Introduced Latin American political dynamics.

  • Lipset: Discusses democracy, economic development, and legitimacy.

  • Pei: Critique of China's totalitarianism.

Democracy and Authoritarianism

  • Fragile States Index: Indicates nations at risk of collapse due to governance issues.

  • Zartman: On the dynamics of state collapse and restoration, emphasizing the importance of political structures.

Page 3

Case Study Analysis

  • Comparison of Experiences: Across various countries regarding REFORM, RECONFIGURATION, or DISINTEGRATION.

  • Dynamic Nature of Politics: Emphasizes the need for ongoing research.

  • Key Questions to Consider:

    • Positioning countries on the democracy-authoritarianism spectrum.

    • The impact of corrupt leadership on political developments.

Page 4

Case Study: Mexico

  • Long Democratic Transition: From PRI rule (71 years) to democratic elections in 2000.

  • Economic Crises: Contributed to the push for democracy.

  • Electoral Revolution of 2000: Vicente Fox's victory marked significant political change.

Challenges Post-Transition

  • Expectation Management: Mexicans expect results from a functioning democracy.

  • Contentious 2006 Election: Allegations of electoral fraud arise with Lopez Obrador's challenge to results.

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Ongoing Political Challenges in Mexico

  • Election of 2012: PRI's return under Peña Nieto.

  • Trust Issues: Voter dissatisfaction emerges under corrupt administration.

  • 2018 Elections: AMLO's victory shifts political landscape focusing on tackling poverty and corruption.

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Case Study: Peru

  • Political Instability: Frequent changes between authoritarianism and democracy, dubbed "intermittent democracy."

  • Fujimori's Tenure: A blend of stability through dictatorship but leading to eventual downfall.

  • Post-Fujimori Era: Struggles with corruption and legitimacy continue.

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Continued Unrest in Peru

  • Recent Political Crisis: 2020 highlights discontent with political class amidst Covid challenges.

  • Polarized Elections: The 2021 election reflects deep societal divides, further complicating governance.

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Case Study: Nigeria

  • Democratic Transition Challenges: Military influence persists; corruption remains prevalent.

  • Trapped Transition: The term describes Nigeria's stagnant political environment since its return to democracy.

Page 9

Case Study: Zimbabwe

  • Mugabe's Legacy: Established long-term rule despite decreased legitimacy over time.

  • Political Coercion and Power Maintenance: ZANU-PF continues to adapt while undermining democratic processes.

Page 10

Case Study: Egypt

  • Mubarak’s Regime: Soft dictatorship characterized by suppression yet economic difficulties led to revolution.

  • Arab Spring: Youth mobilization and societal dissatisfaction culminated in mass protests for democratic reforms.

Post-Revolution Challenges

  • Aftermath of Tahrir Square: Military’s role in inhibiting true democratic reforms persists.