Institutionalising Democracy. The story of the Electoral Commission of South Africa

Description

South Africa is now more than twenty years old as a democratic republic. Amongst the major markers of the country's democratic status has been five successful elections. The success of the elections has, in turn, yielded stable institutions of governance. Because they were elected through a credible electoral process, the various spheres of government enjoy popular legitimacy. Pivotal in moulding these institutions of governance has been the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). The first of its kind, this book provides a detailed analysis of how the IEC has made South Africa one of the stable democracies in the world, and subsequently rose to enjoy international prominence. More important than the Commission's achievements, the book focuses our attention on how institutions are formed and evolve. The formation of both the interim and permanent Commissions, in 1993 and 1997 respectively, was a product of South Africa's own history, culture and national sensitivities. And, their subsequent evolution, beyond the character of the leadership and internal dynamics, was strongly shaped by the general vibrancy of South African democracy.

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