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Coalition Politics a New Political Landscape in South Africa

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Coalition Politics a New Political Landscape in South Africa Coalition politics a new political landscape in South Africa Submitted by JOHANNES MOKHOBO MOSHODI Student Number 2004059610 Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Masters of Arts in Governance and Political Transformation at the University of the Free State December 2018 SUPERVISOR: DR MP SWANEPOEL DECLARATION I, JOHANNES MOKHOBO MOSHODI, hereby declare that the mini-dissertation that I herewith submit for Masters of Arts in Governance and Political Transformation at the University of the Free State, is my independent work, and that I have not previously submitted it for a qualification at another institution of higher education. I also declare that all reference materials used for this study have been properly acknowledged. ………………………………………………….. Johannes Mokhobo Moshodi 2004059610 ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am overwhelmingly beholden to the grace of the Almighty God for the magnificent wonders He has made in my life and accomplishing the study. May I express gratitude to Saint Mother Prophetess, Christina Nku, of St John Apostolic and Prophecy Church and Saint Bishop King Edward of the Anglican Church, who inspired me and to realise this work: they are legends and people who have dedicated their lives to working for the Almighty. I convey my sincerest thankfulness to my research supervisor, Dr Lenie Swanepoel, for her patience and insight, both inspiring and challenging me, in overseeing my work. Her timely guidance helped me and ensured that I would finish this dissertation, despite the many personal challenges I faced when conducting this academic study. I was particularly humbled by her patience in accommodating all the requests I made, including new deadlines. Without you, this would not have materialised. A big thank you is given to the Department for affording me the opportunity to complete this study, especially the Programme Director: Governance and Political Transformation, Dr Tania Coetzee. An appreciation I bestow to my friends and colleagues for allowing me, as and when I would inform them about my unavailability on certain occasions. I thank my wife Lucia Kelebogile, my son Tshegofatso Botlhokwa Goitsemodimo, and Precious, as well as the grandchildren, for their cooperation that enabled me to attain good fruits in this academic journey throughout my graduate career. My thankfulness goes to the congregants of St John Apostolic and Prophecy Church, Botshabelo West Circuit: I steer for standing with me for the whole period of the study as we convey our prayers to the Almighty God. May the Glory of our Heavenly Father ruin in forever and ever. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ........................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................... iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................. iv List of Tables ........................................................................................................................... viii ABBREVIATIONS ...................................................................................................................... ix CHAPTER 1 RESEARCH PROPOSAL .................................................................................. 12 1.1 Background.................................................................................................................. 12 1.2 Local Government Election between 1995 – 2016 ....................................................... 14 1.2.1 Voting patterns and comparison of voting outcomes ............................................. 20 1.3 Problem Statement ...................................................................................................... 22 1.3.1 Democracy ........................................................................................................... 22 1.3.1.1 US and UK democracy ...................................................................................... 23 1.3.1.2 Theorising Democracy ...................................................................................... 23 1.3.1.3 Understanding political parties and democracy ................................................. 24 1.3.1.4 Understanding citizens and democracy ............................................................. 24 1.3.1.5 South African multiparty system ........................................................................ 25 1.4 The concept coalitions and formations of coalitions ..................................................... 26 1.4.1 Shortfalls of coalitions ........................................................................................... 27 1.4.2 Effectiveness of coalition ...................................................................................... 28 1.4.3 Case studies ......................................................................................................... 29 1.5 Research aim and objective ......................................................................................... 31 1.6 Research methodology ................................................................................................ 31 1.6.1 Research design ................................................................................................... 32 1.6.2 Data collection ...................................................................................................... 32 1.7 Layout of study ............................................................................................................ 33 iv CHAPTER 2 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK AND CONCEPTUALISATION OF THE TERMS: COALITION POLITICS A SIGNIFICANT PHENOMENON IN SOUTH AFRICA’S POLITICAL LANDSCAPE............................................................................................................................. 34 2.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 34 2.2 Democracy .................................................................................................................. 34 2.2.1 Explanation and meanings .................................................................................... 37 2.2.2 Democracy in South Africa .................................................................................... 40 2.3 Elections ...................................................................................................................... 41 2.3.1 Participation .......................................................................................................... 41 2.3.2 Competition .......................................................................................................... 42 2.3.3 Legitimacy ............................................................................................................ 42 2.4 Pre-Election ................................................................................................................. 42 2.4.1 Political Party Registration .................................................................................... 43 2.4.2 Political Campaign ................................................................................................ 44 2.4.3 Voter Education .................................................................................................... 44 2.4.4 Balloting ................................................................................................................ 44 2.5 After the Elections ........................................................................................................ 45 2.6 Coalition politics ........................................................................................................... 45 2.6.1 Coalition Theory .................................................................................................... 45 2.6.2 Rationalist Theory ................................................................................................. 46 2.6.3 Closed minimal range theory ................................................................................ 46 2.6.3.1 Willingness to bargain ....................................................................................... 47 2.6.3.2 Information certainty .......................................................................................... 47 2.7 What is coalition? ......................................................................................................... 47 2.7.1 Typologies of Coalitions ........................................................................................ 48 2.7.1.1 Electoral alliance ............................................................................................... 48 2.7.1.2 Coalition governments ....................................................................................... 48 2.7.1.3 Grand coalition .................................................................................................. 49 v 2.7.1.4 Legislative coalition ........................................................................................... 49 2.7.1.5 Rainbow Coalition ............................................................................................. 50 2.7.1.6 Confidence and Supply ..................................................................................... 51 2.8 The transition to coalition government: Key questions
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