PLC3702
Assignment 1 Semester 2 2026
Unique number:
Due date: August 2026
The Challenge of Regime Legitimacy in Africa: A Critical Comparison of
Botswana and Zimbabwe
1. Introduction
The question of who has the right to rule is important in every political system
because governments cannot depend on force alone if they want to remain stable for
a long time. Political legitimacy exists when people generally accept that those who
govern have a proper right to exercise political power. A political regime is therefore
more than the government that happens to be in office at a particular time, because
it includes the wider rules, values and institutions that shape the relationship
between rulers and citizens (Heywood, 2013). Political regimes can also operate
differently because societies have different histories, cultures, beliefs and ways of
understanding political authority. The relationship between rulers and the ruled is
shaped by who exercises power, how that power is exercised and the values
, The Challenge of Regime Legitimacy in Africa: A Critical Comparison of
Botswana and Zimbabwe
1. Introduction
The question of who has the right to rule is important in every political system
because governments cannot depend on force alone if they want to remain stable for
a long time. Political legitimacy exists when people generally accept that those who
govern have a proper right to exercise political power. A political regime is therefore
more than the government that happens to be in office at a particular time, because
it includes the wider rules, values and institutions that shape the relationship
between rulers and citizens (Heywood, 2013). Political regimes can also operate
differently because societies have different histories, cultures, beliefs and ways of
understanding political authority. The relationship between rulers and the ruled is
shaped by who exercises power, how that power is exercised and the values
accepted within a particular society (Botha, 2005).
The end of the Cold War encouraged the spread of multiparty elections and Western
liberal democracy across Africa. Between 1989 and 1994, political reforms took
place in most sub-Saharan African countries, including the introduction or restoration
of competitive elections (Bratton and Van de Walle, 1997). However, holding
elections does not automatically make a political regime legitimate. This assignment
argues that regime legitimacy in Africa depends on how formal democratic
institutions connect with local political culture, historical experience, economic
performance and the everyday expectations of citizens. Botswana and Zimbabwe
are used as contrasting political communities because they have followed very
different political paths despite being neighbouring Southern African states.
Botswana shows how traditional political practices can work alongside liberal
democratic institutions, while Zimbabwe shows the problems that develop when
liberation history, elections and control of state institutions compete as sources of
political legitimacy.
2. Understanding Regime Legitimacy
2.1 The Meaning of a Political Regime
Assignment 1 Semester 2 2026
Unique number:
Due date: August 2026
The Challenge of Regime Legitimacy in Africa: A Critical Comparison of
Botswana and Zimbabwe
1. Introduction
The question of who has the right to rule is important in every political system
because governments cannot depend on force alone if they want to remain stable for
a long time. Political legitimacy exists when people generally accept that those who
govern have a proper right to exercise political power. A political regime is therefore
more than the government that happens to be in office at a particular time, because
it includes the wider rules, values and institutions that shape the relationship
between rulers and citizens (Heywood, 2013). Political regimes can also operate
differently because societies have different histories, cultures, beliefs and ways of
understanding political authority. The relationship between rulers and the ruled is
shaped by who exercises power, how that power is exercised and the values
, The Challenge of Regime Legitimacy in Africa: A Critical Comparison of
Botswana and Zimbabwe
1. Introduction
The question of who has the right to rule is important in every political system
because governments cannot depend on force alone if they want to remain stable for
a long time. Political legitimacy exists when people generally accept that those who
govern have a proper right to exercise political power. A political regime is therefore
more than the government that happens to be in office at a particular time, because
it includes the wider rules, values and institutions that shape the relationship
between rulers and citizens (Heywood, 2013). Political regimes can also operate
differently because societies have different histories, cultures, beliefs and ways of
understanding political authority. The relationship between rulers and the ruled is
shaped by who exercises power, how that power is exercised and the values
accepted within a particular society (Botha, 2005).
The end of the Cold War encouraged the spread of multiparty elections and Western
liberal democracy across Africa. Between 1989 and 1994, political reforms took
place in most sub-Saharan African countries, including the introduction or restoration
of competitive elections (Bratton and Van de Walle, 1997). However, holding
elections does not automatically make a political regime legitimate. This assignment
argues that regime legitimacy in Africa depends on how formal democratic
institutions connect with local political culture, historical experience, economic
performance and the everyday expectations of citizens. Botswana and Zimbabwe
are used as contrasting political communities because they have followed very
different political paths despite being neighbouring Southern African states.
Botswana shows how traditional political practices can work alongside liberal
democratic institutions, while Zimbabwe shows the problems that develop when
liberation history, elections and control of state institutions compete as sources of
political legitimacy.
2. Understanding Regime Legitimacy
2.1 The Meaning of a Political Regime
