Challenging the Co-opting of Democracy: Discourse from Civil Society Organizations in Zimbabwe

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis study addresses the role of civil society organizations in the struggle for democratization in Zimbabwe from 1999 to 2009. The study shows how civil society organizations’ discourse played a critical role in broadening communicative space in the struggle for democracy. Contribution of civil society organizations was important in a political context where ruling party's totalizing discourses excluded other citizens in the democratization process. Civil society discourses challenged and contested ruling party discourses. Whereas for the ruling party, democracy meant highlighting the country's anticolonial struggle and labeling opposition as agents of foreign western governments, for most civil society organizations, democracy meant respect of human rights. Discourse put a spotlight on the human rights abuses especially violence perpetrated by supporters of the ruling party against members of opposition. The discourses on democratization from civil society organizations therefore provided contestation to the ruling party while at the same time engaging citizens in democratic process.