Democracy for a bargain: The 1999 election in KwaZulu‐Natal
Loading...
Date
1999
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Abstract
While the IFP/ANC race for first place in KwaZulu-Natal was the
closest of any in the country, the 1999 election was both freer and fairer than
ever before, and the result was readily accepted by all parties. In short, the 1999
election further consolidated both the institutions and culture of liberal democracy. Importantly, this consolidation was predicated in an understanding
reached between the IFP and ANC that, whatever the outcome of the election,
they would co-operate in government at both national level and in KwaZuluNatal. In so doing, the stakes of the election were lowered, making a free and
fair election not just more affordable but also desirable so as to legitimate future
governance. This deal is further confirmation of the trend in KwaZulu-Natal
politics away from the ethnically couched confrontational styles of the transition
years towards a more ideologically inclusive and co-operative politics. This
trend, along with the basic patterns of party affiliation, suggest that KwaZuluNatal is no more unique politically than any other province in South Africa.
Description
Keywords
Democracy, Election, KwaZulu‐Natal, IFP/ANC, Liberal democracy
Citation
Piper, L. (1999). Democracy for a bargain: the 1999 election in KwaZulu‐Natal. Politikon, 26(2), 145-154