MASS POLITICS, ELECTIONS AND AFRICAN SOCIAL STRUCTURE: BOTSWANA AND OTHER AFRICAN COUNTRIES

Abstract

This paper deals with the relationship between mass politics, elections and African social structure, and draws examples from Botswana, Somalia, Algeria and other African countries. Mass politics and elections were introduced in Africa immediately after political independence. The paper argues that the African social structure was a stabilising factor in African countries if incorporated within modern political institutions as a separate entity with a certain extent of autonomy. The major problems that African countries are facing are political instability and economic dependency. Political and economic factors played an important role during the transition to democracy. Elections were not independent variables. Countries that maintained a certain amount of traditional structure were more likely to experience political stability than countries which failed to recognise traditional structures. Botswana since independence has experienced more political stability than countries such as Somalia and Algeria where traditional structures disappeared overnight. Countries with better economic management are also more likely to sustain political stability.