Malavi: Afrika’da Barışçıl Demokrasi ve Siyasi Geçişin Örneği

Öz

Bu çalışmanın amacı, Malavi’de demokratik siyasal düzenin sürekliliğini ve kırılganlıklarını tarihsel ve kurumsal boyutlarıyla analiz etmektir. Özellikle 1994 sonrası çok partili hayata geçiş süreci, barışçıl iktidar değişimleri ve bağımsız milletvekillerinin siyasal sistemdeki konumu incelenmiştir. Yöntem olarak nitel araştırma yöntemi benimsenmiş; literatür taraması, anayasal metin analizi ve uluslararası demokrasi endekslerine dayalı ikincil veri incelemesi yapılmıştır. Çalışmanın temel varsayımı, düşük gelir düzeyi ve sınırlı kurumsallaşmaya rağmen seçimsel rekabet, yargı bağımsızlığı ve aktif sivil toplumun demokratik dayanıklılığı mümkün kıldığıdır. Bulgular, Malavi’de siyasal partilerin ideolojik temellerinin zayıf ve lider merkezli bir karakter taşıdığını; buna karşın düzenli ve rekabetçi seçimlerin sistemin meşruiyetini güçlendirdiğini göstermektedir. 2020 başkanlık seçimlerinin Anayasa Mahkemesi tarafından iptal edilerek yenilenmesi, yargısal denetimin demokratik sistem açısından kritik bir güvence olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Ayrıca bağımsız milletvekillerinin parlamentodaki esnek konumu, koalisyon siyasetini şekillendiren önemli bir unsur olarak öne çıkmaktadır. Etnik çeşitlilik, siyasal mobilizasyonu etkilese de yaygın ve süreklilik arz eden bir iç çatışma üretmemiştir. Sonuç olarak Malavi demokrasisi, kurumsal açıdan kırılgan ancak seçim ve yargı alanındaki urumsallaşmış mekanizmalar sayesinde dirençli bir yapı sergilemektedir. Öngörü olarak, ülkenin uzun vadeli kalkınma stratejisi olan Malavi 2063 (MW2063) vizyonu doğrultusunda yönetişim reformları, ekonomik çeşitlendirme ve insan sermayesinin güçlendirilmesi hedeflerinin hayata geçirilmesi hâlinde demokratik kapasitenin daha da pekişebileceği değerlendirilmektedir. Bu çerçevede parti kurumsallaşmasının güçlendirilmesi, yasama denetim kapasitesinin artırılması ve hukukun üstünlüğünün derinleştirilmesi temel öneriler olarak sunulmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Malavi
• Darbe Yokluğu
• Demokratikleşme
• Meşruiyet

Malawi: An Example of Peaceful Democracy and Political Transition in Africa

Öz

The aim of this study is to analyse the continuity and fragility of the democratic political order in Malawi in its historical and institutional dimensions. In particular, the transition to a multi-party system after 1994, peaceful transfers of power, and the position of independent members of parliament within the political system have been examined. A qualitative research design was adopted as the methodology; a literature review, constitutional text analysis, and secondary data analysis based on international democracy indices were conducted. The fundamental assumption of the study is that, despite low-income levels and limited institutionalisation, electoral competition, judicial independence, and an active civil society enable democratic resilience. The findings show that political parties in Malawi have weak ideological foundations and are leader-centred; however, regular and competitive elections strengthen the legitimacy of the system. The annulment and re-run of the 2020 presidential elections by the Constitutional Court demonstrated that judicial oversight is a critical safeguard for the democratic system. Furthermore, the flexible position of independent MPs in parliament stands out as an important factor shaping coalition politics. Although ethnic diversity has influenced political mobilisation, it has not produced widespread and persistent internal conflict. Consequently, Malawi's democracy is institutionally fragile but resilient thanks to electoral and judicial mechanisms. It is anticipated that democratic capacity could be further strengthened if the objectives of governance reforms, economic diversification and human capital enhancement, in line with the Malawi 2063 (MW2063) vision, the country's long-term development strategy, are implemented. In this context, strengthening party institutionalisation, enhancing legislative oversight capacity, and deepening the rule of law are presented as key recommendations.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Malawi
• Absence of Coup
• Democratisation
• Legitimacy

Kaynakça

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