The Influence of the Type of Dominant Party on Democracy: A Comparison Between South Africa and Malaysia

by Malte Kaïner

Overview

Dominant parties and democracies – are they really strange bedfellows? Malte Kaßner sheds light on the relation between one-party dominance and democracy from a comparative perspective. The study examines the key question how different types of dominant parties influence democracy in multicultural societies with the help of two case studies: South Africa and Malaysia. Both countries are characterized by an ethnically, linguistically and religiously plural society. The author analyses the two dominant parties African National Congress (ANC) and United Malays National Organization (UMNO) and their implications on democracy in the two countries. The outcome suggests that one-party dominance per se cannot be assessed as beneficial or harmful for democratic development. Rather, dominant parties deserve a stronger analytical differentiation. Causal patterns contribute to such a differentiation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783658044374
Publisher:	Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden
Publication date:	11/29/2013
Series:	Politik in Afrika, Asien und Lateinamerika
Edition description:	2014
Pages:	362
Product dimensions:	5.83(w) x 8.27(h) x 0.03(d)

About the Author

Malte Kaßner is freelance coach and consultant for development co-operations worldwide.

Table of Contents

Different types of dominant parties.- Organization of dominant parties.- Character and impacts of ideological concepts.- Behavioural norms of dominant parties.- Effects on the type of democracy.