Why Mugabe Won: The 2013 Elections in Zimbabwe and their Aftermath

ISBN-13: 9781107539808 / Angielski / Miękka / 2020 / 203 str.

Univer Stephen Chan (School of Oriental and African Studies; University of London) Julia Gallagher (Royal Holloway

Opis

The 2013 general elections in Zimbabwe were widely expected to mark a shift in the nation's political system, and a greater role for the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. However, the results, surprisingly, were overwhelmingly in favour of long-time President Robert Mugabe, who swept the presidential, parliamentary and senatorial polls under relatively credible and peaceful conditions. In this book, a valuable and accessible read for both students and scholars working in African politics, and those with a general interest in the politics of the region, Stephen Chan and Julia Gallagher explore the domestic and international context of these landmark elections. Drawing on extensive research among political elites, grassroots activists and ordinary voters, Chan and Gallagher examine the key personalities, dramatic events, and broader social and political context of Mugabe's success, and what this means as Zimbabwe moves towards a future without Mugabe.

Recenzje

'This book is an important contribution to our evolving understanding of Zimbabwe's 'guided' democracy and the entrenched challenges of reform and recovery. The 2013 polls secured Zanu-PF victory, but not legitimacy. The detail examined in this book highlights the importance of employing a wider angle lens to understand the political economy of command and control during elections, especially where constraining conditions of coercive nationalism have become entrenched.' Piers Pigou, Southern Africa Senior Consultant, International Crisis Group

Spis treści

1. Introduction: thinking a new Zimbabwe; 2. Building towards the 2013 elections; 3. The elections of 2013; 4. 'We are tired of supporting a loser': the MDC campaign; 5. 'Zanu managed to mend relationships': the Zanu-PF campaign; 6. Conflicting reports and assessments I: the run-up; 7. Conflicting reports and assessments II: the aftermath; 8. One year after the elections; 9. Succession battles in the new Zimbabwe; Postscript: on reality and rumours.