EXPLORING THE ROLE OF POLITICAL PARTIES AND PARTY SYSTEMS ON DEMOCRACY IN LESOTHO by MPHO RAKHARE Student number: 2009083300 Submitted in the fulfilment of the requirements for the Magister Degree in Governance and Political Transformation in the Programme of Governance and Political Transformation at the University of Free State Bloemfontein February 2019 Supervisor: Dr Tania Coetzee TABLE OF CONTENTS Pages DECLARATION .................................................................................................................................... 4 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...................................................................................................................... 5 List of abbreviations and acronyms ................................................................................................... 6 LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................................. 8 Chapter 1 ............................................................................................................................................... 9 Introduction to research ....................................................................................................................... 9 1.1 Motivation ........................................................................................................................................ 9 1.2 Problem statement ...................................................................................................................... 14 1.3 Aims and objectives of the study ............................................................................................... 21 1.4 Research methodology ............................................................................................................... 22 1.5 Research design .......................................................................................................................... 23 Chapter 2 ............................................................................................................................................. 24 Theoretical framework ....................................................................................................................... 24 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 24 2.2 The doctrine of separation of powers ....................................................................................... 25 2.3 Separation of powers in branches of government .................................................................. 29 2.3.1 Legislative authority ................................................................................................................. 29 2.3.2 Executive authority ................................................................................................................... 30 2.3.3 Judiciary authority .................................................................................................................... 31 2.4 Parliamentary, presidential and semi-presidential systems .................................................. 34 2.4.1 Parliamentary system .............................................................................................................. 34 2.4.1.1 Advantages of the parliamentary system ...................................................................... 37 2.4.1.2 Disadvantages of the parliamentary system ................................................................. 37 2.4.2 The presidential system .......................................................................................................... 37 2.4.2.1 Advantages of the presidential system .......................................................................... 39 2.4.2.2 Disadvantages of the presidential system .................................................................... 40 2.4.3 Comparison between the presidential and parliamentary systems .................................. 40 2.4.4 Semi-presidential system ........................................................................................................ 41 2.4.4.1 Advantages of the semi-presidential system ................................................................ 44 2.4.4.2 Disadvantages of the semi-presidential system ........................................................... 44 2.5 Military intervention in a state .................................................................................................... 45 1 2.6 Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 48 Chapter 3 ............................................................................................................................................. 49 Theoretical framework of political parties and party system on democracy ............................. 49 3.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 49 3.2 Representative democracy ........................................................................................................ 49 3.3 Political parties and party systems ............................................................................................ 51 3.4 Functions of political parties ....................................................................................................... 53 3.5 Party systems types .................................................................................................................... 55 3.5.1 One-party system ..................................................................................................................... 55 3.5.1.1 Advantages of the one-party system ............................................................................. 56 3.5.1.2 Disadvantages of the one-party system ........................................................................ 57 3.5.2 One party dominance .............................................................................................................. 57 3.5.2.1 Advantages of the party dominant system .................................................................... 58 3.5.2.2 Disadvantages of the party dominant system............................................................... 58 3.5.3 The two-party system .............................................................................................................. 59 3.5.3.1 Advantages of the two-party system .............................................................................. 59 3.5.3.2 Disadvantages of the two-party system ........................................................................ 60 3.5.4 The multi-party system ............................................................................................................ 60 3.5.4.1 Advantages of the multi-party system ............................................................................ 61 3.5.4.2 Disadvantages of the multi-party system ...................................................................... 61 3.6 Democratic elections ................................................................................................................... 61 3.6.1 Functions of elections .............................................................................................................. 63 3.6.2 Elements of elections ............................................................................................................... 64 3.6.3 Election violence ....................................................................................................................... 64 3.7 Electoral system ........................................................................................................................... 66 3.7.1 Types of electoral systems ..................................................................................................... 70 3.7.1.1 The First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) System ............................................................................ 70 3.7.1.1.1 Advantages of the FPTP system ................................................................................. 71 3.7.1.1.2 Disadvantages of the FPTP system ........................................................................... 72 3.7.1.2 The Proportional Representation (PR) system ................................................................ 72 3.7.1.2.1 Advantages of the PR system ..................................................................................... 73 3.7.1.2.2 Disadvantages of the PR system ................................................................................ 74 3.7.1.3 The Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) system ............................................................. 74 3.7.1.3.1 Advantages of the MMP system .................................................................................. 75 2 3.7.1.3.2 Disadvantages of the MMP system ............................................................................ 76 3.8 Coalition governments ................................................................................................................ 76 3.8.1 Classical coalition governments ............................................................................................. 77 3.8.2 Consociational coalition governments