2. Namibian democracy consolidated? 18 years of peace Dramatic growing gap between rich and poor Free and fair elections, high voting turnout Swapo winning more than 2/3, weak opposition Local Power Brokers –Andre du Pisani No line between the state and the leading party Article §48 of the Constitution, and The role of the Justice Service Commission 12.12.2008 Lari Kangas
4. What i didn’twant to say “Once a country has a democratic regime, its level of economic development has a very strong effect on the probability that democracy will survive. Poor democracies, particularly those with annual per-capita income of less than $1,000, are extremely fragile: based on our study, the probability that one will die during a particular year is 0,12. This rate falls to 0,06 in the $1,000 to $2,000 range, to 0,03 between $2,000 and $4,000, and to 0,01 between $4,000 and $6,000. These numbers mean that a democracy can be expected to last an average of about 8,5 years in a country with per-capita income under $1,000 per annum, 16 years in one with income between $1,000 and $2,000, 33 years between $2,000 and $4,000, and 100 years between $4,000 and $6,000” - Przeworski et al. 1996, p. 40-41. 12.12.2008 Lari Kangas
5.
6. Super-rich and the poor (investments abroad and no investments) pesters development
8. More than poorest 50% make collectively in a year12.12.2008 Lari Kangas
9. Namibia - economic breakdown Country of super-rich and super-poor, the most unequal country in the World (UNDP-Namibia report) Richest 10% better welfare than Luxemburg Richest 22% better welfare than Sweden Poorest 78% worse welfare than Liberia Over 50% of women live well below poverty line, $0,36 /day 12.12.2008 Lari Kangas
10. 12.12.2008 Lari Kangas [1] The purchasing power parity used for Namibia is the same than found for South Africa 2002. US$2600 in South Africa translated to US$9870 purchasing power. This gives us a multiply of 3,8.
20. Chapter 7, article §48 vacation of seats Members of the National Assembly shall vacate their seats: ... (b) If the political party which nominated them to sit in the National Assembly informs the Speaker that such members are no longer members of such party; ... If the seats of member of the National Assembly is vacated in terms of Sub-Article (1) hereof, the political party which nominated such member to sit in the National Assembly shall be entitled to fill the vacancy by nominating any person on the party’s election list compiled for the previous general election, or if there be no such person, by nominating any member of the party. 12.12.2008 Lari Kangas
21. Separation of powers Article §48 not in line with the rest of the Constitution Article §1 (3) states separation of powers to the Executive, the Legislature and the Judicial branch of Government Article §48 gives the right for the party to resign and appoint Members of Parliament without elections If 2/3 for one party If party leadership is not democratically elected, and If the President is the same person as the Chairman of the leading party Then the President (the Executive) controls the National Assembly (the Legislative branch) 12.12.2008 Lari Kangas
22. Separation of powers Article §82 “All appointments of Judges to the Supreme Court and the High Court shall be made by the President on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission…” Article §84 “A Judge may be removed from office before the expiry of his or her tenure only by the President acting on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission” Same with appointing and resigning the Attorney-General and the Prosecutor-General 12.12.2008 Lari Kangas
23. Judicial service commission Article §85 ”There shall be a Judicial Service Commission consisting of the Chief Justice, a Judge appointed by the President, the Attorney-General and two members of the legal profession…” 3/5 members depend on the goodwill of the President With control of the JSC the President (the Executive) controls all appointments and resignations of the Judicial branch. 12.12.2008 Lari Kangas
24. In conclusion Namibia has not consolidated her democracy And is not going to that direction either Economic inequalities No viable opposition No separation of state and the leading party No separation of powers in the Government 12.12.2008 Lari Kangas