National liberation movements in office: Forging democracy with African adjectives in Namibia.
详细信息
- 作者：Torreguitar ; Elena.
- 学历：Doctor
- 年：2008
- 导师：Bustin, Edouard
- 毕业院校：Boston University
- 专业：Political Science, General.;Political Science, International Law and Relations.
- ISBN：9780549634997
- CBH：3314080
- Country：USA
- 语种：English
- FileSize：36056557
- Pages：640
文摘
In 1959 a small group of Namibian workers organized a liberation movement, the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), to oppose South African illegal control of Namibia. This small group of leaders brought the "Namibian issue" to the international arena and established global support. SWAPO moved to secure assistance from countries on both sides of the Cold War arena, as well as from international organizations while it organized its armed wing, the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN), and established camps in neighboring countries to give shelter to its followers. In exile, SWAPO survived many setbacks and each time grew stronger. They built a leadership that did not allow opposition. The political organization was authoritarian and severely limited changes at the top, or any participation of the rank and file. Any attempt by the young people in the camps to participate in decision making, was considered rebellious. During 1975--1976 and during the 1980s, this attitude led to the repression of young leaders who wanted a say in the organization. This dissertation focuses on the building of the features of a democracy from a liberation movement. It argues that the party suffered an internal coup masterminded by a small group inside the leadership which led to a severe abuse of human rights. Once back home, when the country became independent in 1989 and SWAPO won the elections, their leaders adapted their authoritarian political behavior. The aim of this dissertation is to analyze the many obstacles SWAPO encountered on all fronts while it was abroad through the experiences of the leaders, freedom fighters and opponents who participated in the process. These included PLAN's war in northern Namibia against South Africa, SWAPO's internal organization of the refugees' camps in Angola and the constant reminder to the international organizations of the fairness of their fight. All this was done with an extreme concern for unity that became the unwavering ideal and an end in itself.