Transnational Mobilization and Domestic Regime Change: Africa in Comparative Perspective (International Political Economy)

Africa represents the next frontier of the transnational politics of democratization. Recent efforts to promote human rights and democracy have yielded a mixed record of success. A comparison of regime change in Kenya and Uganda reveals how principled interventions have unintentional adverse effects on the democratic reform process. Persistent external efforts compromise the independence of domestic allies and strengthen those resisting democratic reforms. Domestic activists must carefully weigh the short-term benefits of transnational support against the harm it may cause. Africa represents the next frontier of the transnational politics of democratization. Recent efforts to promote human rights and democracy have yielded a mixed record of success. A comparison of regime change in Kenya and Uganda reveals how principled interventions have unintentional adverse effects on the democratic reform process. The promotion of democracy and human rights has become a central part of donor and non-governmental activism in Africa. Transnational human rights organizations play an increasingly prominent role in shaping donor agendas as well as the domestic politics of regime change. How successful are these efforts to promote principles of democracy and human rights from the outside? This book answers this question based on a comparison of regime change in Kenya and Uganda from the 1980s until today. It is the first systematic effort to bring together the comparative democratization literature and the recent work of international relations scholars exploring the role of transnational advocacy networks. Principled mobilization for human rights is more successful in challenging authoritarian rule than in building sustainable democratic institutions. Beyond forcing an authoritarian regime into initial political reforms, external interventions distract domestic allies from building strong networks and provide significant mobilizing opportunities to those opposing democratic change The Promotion Of Democracy And Human Rights Has Become A Central Part Of Donor And Non-governmental Activism In Africa. Transnational Human Rights Organizations Play An Increasingly Prominent Role In Shaping Donor Agendas As Well As The Domestic Politics Of Regime Change. How Successful Are These Efforts To Promote Principles Of Democracy And Human Rights From The Outside? This Book Answers This Question Based On A Comparison Of Regime Change In Kenya And Uganda From The 1980s Until Today. It Is The First Systematic Effort To Bring Together The Comparative Democratization Literature And The Recent Work Of International Relations Scholars Exploring The Role Of Transnational Advocacy Networks.--jacket. 1. Introduction -- 2. Transnational Dimensions Of Democratization -- 3. From Repression To Democratic Reforms In Keyna And Uganda -- 4. Successful Challenges To Authoritarian Rule -- 5. Diverging Paths Of Regime Change : Electoralist And Participatory Reforms -- 6. How Transnational Activism Undermines Democratization -- 7. The Limits Of Multipartyism -- 8. Conclusions : Transnational Mobilization Beyond Multiparty Rule. Hans Peter Schmitz. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 203-217) And Index. Cover 1 Contents 6 List of Figures and Tables 7 Preface and Acknowledgments 8 Acronyms 10 1 Introduction 12 2 Transnational Dimensions of Democratization 22 3 From Repression to Democratic Reforms in Kenya and Uganda 44 4 Successful Challenges to Authoritarian Rule 76 5 Diverging Paths of Regime Change: Electoralist and Participatory Reforms 110 6 How Transnational Activism Undermines Democratization 134 7 The Limits of Multipartyism 177 8 Conclusions: Transnational Mobilization Beyond Multiparty Rule 194 Appendix: List of Interview Partners 203 Notes 205 Bibliography 214 Index 229 A 229 B 230 C 230 D 230 E 231 F 231 G 231 H 232 I 232 J 232 K 232 L 233 M 233 N 234 O 235 P 235 Q 235 R 235 S 235 T 236 U 236 V 236 W 236 Y 237 Z 237