Political transition and civil society: The cases of Kenya and Zambia |
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Authors: | Peter VonDoepp |
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Institution: | (1) Dept. of Theology and Religious Studies, Chancellor College, University of Malawi, P.O. Box 280, Zomba, Malawi |
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Abstract: | Studies of regime change that focus on the “high politics” of transition tend to overlook the importance of civil society
in democratization and liberalization. This article explores the role that organizations and institutions in society play
as agents of political change. Elements of civil society influence both the processes and outcomes of political transitions.
Case studies of Kenya and Zambia indicate that associational arenas representing civil society made important contributions
in liberalizing and democratizing authoritarian regimes. Beyond this, contrasting the two cases highlights the factors that
influenced their efficacy as agents of political transition. Differences are found in the character of the civil societies
in the two countries. These differences help to account for the extent of Zambia’s transition when compared to Kenya.
Peter VonDoepp is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Political Science at the University of Florida. From 1992 to 1995
he held a Foreign Language/Area Studies Fellowship at Florida’s African Studies Center. He is currently conducting research
in Malawi on the role of religious institutions in political change. Until 1997 |
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