Abstract
The purpose of this study is to discuss the politics of party alliances and conditions in the formation of the government in the countries of Africa. Since the 1990s, many African countries have adopted either parliamentary or presidential forms of democratic rule to strengthen the rule of law, respect human rights and the rights of minorities, children, and women. After the end of colonial rule, the South African countries started the development process and good governance for the establishment of the welfare of the people. The democratic and democratization process has been strengthening the government institutions of countries' public and private entities for better governance. This chapter used a theoretical approach of debate to discuss Samuel P. Huntington's third wave of democratization and coalition theory to understand the democratization process which has been led by democratic government through general elections. In this electoral process, only one party was unable to form the government because it did not obtain a majority in parliament. This is why many emerging coalition governments have been established in many African countries. Moreover, this research uses the qualitative approach to describe and answer many research questions about the success and failure of the coalition governments in Africa. The case study also imposed and scanned to study of the various coalition governments in the countries of Africa. As a result, the formation of coalition governments is unusual in African countries because parties are not getting the popular vote to form a single-party government.
TopIntroduction
Since 1990, in several countries in Africa, pre-electoral alliances and post-election coalitions have gained prominence in the analysis of African politics. This phenomenon has become a crucial aspect of understanding the continent's election dynamics and government formation. Several factors contribute to the growing significance of alliances and coalitions in African politics (Arriola, 2013; Kadima, 2023; Kapa, 2008; Karume, 2003; Resnick, 2013). In African political landscapes, pre-electoral alliances can be significant due to various factors, including diverse ethnic and cultural considerations, historical contexts, and the nature of political competition. Recognizing the prevalence of pre-electoral alliances in Africa implies that coalition theories should be adapted and expanded to better capture the nuanced dynamics of political collaboration and power-sharing in this context. Africa is known for its diverse political systems, and many countries on the continent have experienced variations in their governance structures. Many African countries experienced shifts between democratic governance and authoritarian rule. While some countries made progress in democratic consolidation, others faced challenges with electoral integrity, human rights abuses, and consolidation of power by incumbents. The emergence of the multi-party-political systems in the countries of Africa is realties since 1990. Many African countries operate within a multi-party system, and elections often feature multiple political parties competing for power. Some African countries have experienced coalition governments formed after elections, where parties join forces to secure a parliamentary majority. This is often a response to the challenges posed by fragmented political landscapes.
The term “alliance” is defined as the coming together of at least two political parties before an election with the primary objective of maximizing their votes. This type of alliance is formed as a strategic move before the election, where parties collaborate to enhance their electoral prospects. The cooperation is temporary and aims to pool resources and support for mutual benefit in the upcoming electoral contest. Unlike alliances, coalitions extend beyond the electoral phase and involve parties collaborating in the governance and legislative processes. The collaboration is based on the results of the election, and these parties may have different levels of influence or representation within the government or legislative bodies. By adopting Kadima's definitions, the analysis can provide a more precise examination of the evolving dynamics of political parties in South Africa, particularly in the context of elections and subsequent governance (Booysen, 2014; Kadima, 2006). It allows for a nuanced understanding of the different phases of political cooperation within the African political landscape. An alliance formation indicates that political parties often align themselves with others based on shared racial or cultural profiles. This suggests that these alliances may be rooted in common identities or interests related to ethnicity and culture.
Moreover, Smaller political parties are described as having relatively exclusive racial-cultural profiles. This implies that smaller parties may appeal to specific demographic groups based on shared racial or cultural affiliations. The exclusivity of these profiles may reflect a targeted approach to garnering support. The larger political parties face challenges in overcoming barriers imposed by race, ethnicity, and culture. This could indicate that larger parties, with more diverse constituencies, may encounter difficulties in appealing to voters across different racial and cultural backgrounds. This study discusses the potential trends or changes in the nature of political parties in Africa and their implications for democratic governance. Further, this chapter broadly provide a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics surrounding political parties in Africa and their contributions to democratic governance. The end of the Cold War was a significant factor that contributed to the democratization process in Africa. The changing global geopolitical landscape created an environment that influenced domestic political developments on the continent.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Party Alliance: Parties may form alliances before elections to maximize their chances of winning seats. This could involve agreements to avoid competing against each other in certain constituencies or forming joint candidate lists to pool their support bases.
Coalitions Politics: Coalition politics in Africa, much like in other parts of the world, often emerge in situations where no single political party can secure an outright majority in elections. This necessitates parties to form coalitions or alliances with other parties to gain the necessary parliamentary seats to govern. The dynamics and reasons behind coalition formations in Africa can vary widely based on historical, social, and political contexts within each country. Many African countries are characterized by diverse ethnic and regional populations. Political parties often represent specific ethnic or regional interests, leading to fragmented party systems. Coalition-building may involve parties aligning along ethnic or regional lines to secure broader support bases. The electoral system used in a country can significantly influence coalition politics. Proportional representation systems, for example, tend to produce more fragmented parliaments and encourage coalition formation. In contrast, first-past-the-post systems may lead to more dominant single-party governments.