Seminar Report The role of Political Parties in Democratic Transitions

A critical challenge in the process was finding a balance between the fears of the white minority
(prosecution, persecution, loss of property etc.) and the aspirations of the black majority (universal adult
suffrage, proportional representation, share in economic wealth, nationalisation of national assets,
redistribution of wealth). These issues were dealt with though dialogue and compromise. No side got all it
wanted and both sides made important concessions. Since the successful political negotiations, the
government has made tremendous progress but corruption slows down the process. The democratic
dividend, ensuring that the political reforms also translate into real changes in people’s lives, is slow in
coming.
The key of the peaceful accommodation in South Africa can be summarised in the following points:
1. All sides had to make compromises on their demands and expectations.
2. Accommodating both the fears of an oppressive minority and the aspirations of a marginalised
majority.
3. Constitutional and institutional guarantees for those giving up their monopoly balanced against the
demands of a deprived majority.
4. The pivotal role of building trust between the negotiating partners including personal relationships for
a mutually acceptable accommodation.
5. Demilitarization and transformation of the liberation movements into organised political parties, has
helped to consolidate the transition.
6. The role of courageous, visionary and conciliatory leadership on both sides. 'Grand gesture' to unlock
the democratic stalemate and create the space for negotiation.
7. The transition remains incomplete.
The presentation was followed by comments by the discussant who noted the similarities and common
ground between the transition in Myanmar and South Africa. She questioned if Myanmar found itself in
partial or full transition and if it was enough to stop at multiparty democracy or if the country should go a
step further and strive for a federal system of governance to ensure that the voices of all ethnic groups are
sufficiently heard.
During the ensuing discussion, participants raised questions such as: How can non-parliamentary parties
play a role in a democratic transition to ensure that a sustainable political settlement is reached? What are
the advantages of South Africa’s list system of voting over a quota system for minority groups? Will a
system of proportional representation ensure more female candidates? How can ethnic and cultural
groups be accommodated to safeguard diversity and at the same time, move beyond ethnic identity and
put national identity to the forefront?
Mr. MacKay responded to the questions asked, amongst others by explaining the process of trust building
between ethnic groups in South Africa. He stated that is important for different groups to sit together often
so they can realise that they have more to lose when they act individually instead of working together.
1.6. Summary Presentation on: “The complexities of deepening democracy: the case of Nepal”
By Mr C.K. Lal, Nepalese Political Commentator
Discussant: Mrs Ardeth Thawnghmung, Professor, University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Mr C.K. Lal drew up the complexities of the multiparty democracy in Nepal and described the journey of
Nepal towards democracy alluding to many issues and in particular the seminar themes of strengthening
party politics and establishing multiparty dialogue around the constitution. He highlighted how Nepal
remained almost closed to the outside world for nearly 150 years. Following a brief flirtation with
parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy in the 1950s, parliament was dissolved in a royalmilitary
in 1960. It took 30 years of struggle to restore multiparty democracy and Nepal got a new
constitution in 1990. Following 10 years of armed insurgency and three years of royal-military rule,
parliamentary parties joined hands with the Maoists and succeeded in overthrowing the monarchy in
2008.
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