From Protest to Parties

Why do strong opposition party organizations emerge in some democratizing countries, while those in others remain weak or quickly fragment on ethnic lines? From Protest to Parties provides an explanation for differences in opposition party strength in democratizing regimes in Africa that remain far from democratic. The book argues that strong parties benefit from pre-existing mobilizing structures that transcend ethnic and other cleavages. These mobilizing structures are a legacy of authoritarian rule. Where authoritarian states relied on alliances with corporate actors, notably organized labor, they unintentionally armed their allies, providing them with structures and resources that could later be used to effectively challenge the state. Secondly, opposition parties are more likely to maintain their organizational cohesion and the commitment of activists when they use strategies and appeals that escalate conflict and reorient social boundaries around the lines of partisan affiliation. Polarization forges stronger parties, but it also increases the likelihood of violence and authoritarian retrenchment. From Protest to Parties draws upon an in-depth analysis of three countries in Anglophone Africa: Zimbabwe, Zambia and Kenya. Though these countries share similar institutional frameworks, including electoral rules, opposition party development takes a different route in each. In addition to providing a unique window into the politics of mobilization and protest in closed political regimes, the book sheds light on how the choices of political elites affect organizational development. This book is a major contribution. Nearly all political scientists agree that strong parties are critical to achieving and sustaining democracy, but party-building in the developing world has proven far more difficult than many scholars anticipated. From Protest to Parties offers a new - and highly compelling - theory of why strong opposition parties emerge in some contexts but not others. Based on impressive field research in Kenya, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, the book shows that robust party organizations are often forged during periods of intense polarization and conflict. This book is helping to reshape scholarly debates about party formation. It should be required reading for anyone interested in parties and party organization in the developing world. Steve Levitsky, Professor of Government, Harvard University The intricate exploration of the origins and outcomes of political party development in From Protest to Parties shows that conflict is a double-edged sword. It can amplify popular protests and make parties stronger, thereby promoting democracy, but it can also trigger authoritarian backlash. By comparing well-chosen cases from three African countries, LeBas helps move forward our understanding of the divergent dynamics of contemporary political change. Michael Bratton, University Distinguished Professor of Political Science and African Studies, Michigan State University How can activists build strong opposition parties to overturn single-party rule? And how can they build such parties despite ethnic divisions and the ever-present threat of repression? She shows that the strategies of both rulers and activists, with their frequently unintended consequences, provide the main answers. Polarization and conflict, LeBas finds, can encourage democratization as much as consensus and negotiation - even as they increase the risk of a repressive backlash by rulers. This important book will interest many audiences, including scholars of social movements and "contentious politics." Jeff Goodwin, New York University Following giants like Jackson and Rosberg, LeBas masterfully refines our understanding of how variation - not uniformity - in authoritarian experience continues to shape democratization in sub-Saharan Africa. At the same time, she captures the critical role that choices of elite actors play. The systematic juxtaposition of "Legacy and Choice" is at the heart of this splendid book. Staffan I. Lindberg, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Gothenburg & University of Florida Extensive interviews, sometimes under difficult circumstances, paved the way for this innovative and thought-provoking book ... [LeBas] has produced an important piece of research that will leave scholars thinking for some time to come. Comparative Political StudiesAcknowledgments ; List of Tables and Figures ; Acronyms ; PART I: INTRODUCTION ; 1. Opposition Parties and Democratization in Africa ; 2. The Sources of Opposition Party Strength ; PART II: HISTORICAL LEGACIES ; 3. Corporatism in Zimbabwe ; 4. Labor Control Regimes in Zambia and Kenya ; PART III: THE ORGANIZATION OF PROTEST ; 5. Opposition and Collective Identity in Zimbabwe ; 6. Weak Ties in Zambia and Kenya ; PART IV: THE FORMATION OF PARTIES ; 7. Polarization and Party-Building in Zimbabwe ; 8. Fragmented Parties in Zambia and Kenya ; Conclusions ; Bibliography