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Democratization in Namibia: Soft state, hard choice

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Abstract

Independent Namibia’s struggles to create a functioning democracy have made great strides, including a successful regional and local election process in 1992. Soft state problems such as external dependence, weak state capacity for development, and penetration of the state by particularistic class and ethnic interests threaten at independence. In Namibia’s case the economic dominance and potential for military intervention by South Africa restricted the options available to the new SWAPO government. The intimidation and sabotage in the UNSCR 435 election left the government fragmented and weakened its effectiveness in redressing past injustices. Despite adopting moderate economic and progressive social policies, the rewards from trade and investment have been minimal. The independence honeymoon and modest improvements have bought the government time, but a soft state situation limits success and has created openings for new class formations.

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Authors
  1. William A. Lindeke
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William A. Lindeke is Associate Professor and Chair of Political Science at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, 1 University Ave., Lowell, MA 01854. He is currently writing a book on Namibia’s independence period. His recent publications have appeared in the inaugural issue ofJournal of African Policy Studies, Africa Today andNew Solutions.

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Lindeke, W.A. Democratization in Namibia: Soft state, hard choice. Studies in Comparative International Development 30, 3–29 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02687152

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