From the Failure to Consolidate Democracy to the Recurrence of Violent Political Conflicts: The Case of Madagascar Under the Third Republic (1992-2009)

Abstract

Following the democratization process in 1992, Madagascar under the 3rd Republic (1992-2009) was viewed by many observers as a “democratic country.” However, it was also marked by two major violent political conflicts: the post-electoral crisis of 2001-2002 which escalated to a minor civil war, and the political crisis of March 2009 which led to the resignation of the democratically elected president Marc Ravalomanana and the end of the 3rd Republic itself. This short-lived democratic experience demonstrates the importance of democratic consolidation for new democracies in Africa and anywhere else in the world, and the connection between the failure to consolidate democracy (or regime type in general) and the recurrence of violent political conflicts, including civil wars. The purpose of this study is to explore this connection. In doing so, it builds on the literature on conflict analysis, democratic consolidation and democratic civil peace, and makes the argument that the failure of the Malagasy political leaders to consolidate democracy under the 3rd Republic had a tremendous impact on the recurrence and escalation of violent political conflicts in this country.