Abstract
The article examines the development of democracy in Malawi since the introduction of multiparty elections in 1993. It first examines perspectives in the literature on democratic consolidation discussing the significance of actor vs. structural conditions for democratic survival and the role of international vs. domestic factors. It then applies these categories to the case of Malawi. Based on the variables identified in the general literature as important for democratic sustainability, it appears that the case of Malawi is one of uncertain democratic survivability. There are several indicators of a positive development, but also several pointing in the ‘wrong’ direction. Among Malawian citizens there is little enthusiasm for undemocratic alternatives, but several of the economic and social development indicators are negative. Political institutions are shaky, particularly the lack of an institutional party system. Malawi is also continuing to depend on the international community for support which restricts the ability of domestic political institution to make independent decisions.
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