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Global Comparative Politics (5)

Explore political systems and democratization in Latin America and Africa. Analyze case studies, transitions to democracy, and political institutions in Nigeria and South Africa. Understand the impact of presidentialism and challenges to democratic stability.

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Global Comparative Politics (5)

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  1. Global Comparative Politics (5) Luca Verzichelli University of Siena Master Program Public and Cultural Diplomacy (LM-81)

  2. The Americas are second only to W. Europe in levels of freedom and respect for human rights (69% of population in Free countries).  Nonetheless, a rise in crime and in populist governments with authoritarian tendencies has led to backsliding in several countries. Parts of the region suffer from  threats to freedom of the press, including violence against journalists, and infringements on freedoms of association and assembly. Latin America(FH 2016) • Relevant case studies • Mexico: still low level of political liberties. • Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Haiti, Dominican Rep. : partially free • The case of Cuba • Another difficult case: Venezuela • Colombia, Equador, Bolivia, Paraguay

  3. Features of the Brazilianpolitical System • Presidential regime. Presidentcombinespresidential and Chief Executive powers (i.e. emergencydecrees) • Typicalbicameralparliamentarystructure • Strong federalism (buttemperated by politicalconditions) • AutonomousJudiciary

  4. Democratization in Latin America. A time line • Myth of the Presidential system: US political heritage and contagion effect • Myth of the (supra)national revolution: Bolivarismo and contagion effect • Role of military elites

  5. Modes of Transition to democracyin Latin America (Karl 1990) There is no evidence of a «stable» mode of democracy. Most of the newly emergent civilian or militarized civilian regimes faced the problem of survivability. However, the pactismo seems to consolidate acceptable democratic relationships Other regimes have recently consolidated democratic institutions moving from military rules

  6. Democracy in Africa today According to FH, only 5% of population in the MENA area in free regimes 12% of population in the Sub-Saharian Africa are in free regimes Failure of democratization in the MENA countries. Only exception: Tunisia. Senegal, Ghana and Benin: democratic stability Persistence of democratic conditions in the Southern area: Namibia, Botswana and South Africa

  7. Spread of Presidentialismin Africa(Blondel 2015) • The majority of Africanstateshaveapproached the presidential model. Why? • US influence in large and federalstates • Semi-presidentialinfluence in post- French Colonies • 4 differences with the Latin american presidentialism: • More semi-presidentialthanpresidential • Different executives • Nature of the leaderships: notcaudillosbutnationalfounders • Differentrole of bureacraticbodies and militaryelites • As a result. Similarity of institutionalsettingbutverydifferentimpacts

  8. Nigeria: difficult reconsolidation • A good proxy of the post-colonial transformation in Africa • Independence after the formation of national and pro-African movements (1960). • Different experiences of quasi-democracy and authoritarianisms (1970s-1980s) • New democratic transition (late 1990s) with several stress tests (Obasanjio tempted coupe in 2007, Riots after the election of Goodluck Jonhatan in 2011). • Radical Islam presence (specially in the North)

  9. Political Institutions in Nigeria • Presidential system with separation of power. Federalism • Independently elected president and a bicameral Federal National Assembly • Governors and single-house legislatures at the state level.

  10. South AfricaA Completelydifferentprocess • Democratic conditions but «Western exceptionalism» (apharteid democracy) • A process of civil rights liberation leading to a predominant party • Charismatic leadership of Mandela

  11. Political institutions in Africa • A presidential structure but «less presidential» than other Africal democracies • A non-completed Federal state: regionalism with strong administrative centralization • Traditional relevance of parliamentary coalition majority. After the death of Mandela, the first ANC single-party government • Bicameral structure with asimmetric powers

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