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From low-conflict polity to democratic civil peace: explaining Zambian exceptionalism

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Burnell, Peter J.. (2005) From low-conflict polity to democratic civil peace: explaining Zambian exceptionalism. African Studies, Vol.64 (No.2). pp. 107-133. ISSN 0002-0184

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00020180500355470

Abstract

An absence of civil war and other significant sub-state violence makes Zambia an exceptional although not unique case in central-southern Africa. The literature devoted to explaining civil war has grown dramatically in recent years, but while it pays much attention to sub-Saharan Africa only rarely does it investigate counterfactual cases like Zambia. Similarly the growing field of research into post-conflict reconstruction fails to capture the distinct features of persistently low-conflict situations where many of the predisposing conditions for violent conflict might seem to be present. This paper examines Zambia’s experience against a background of general theories that try to explain conflict. It is an “interpretative case study”. The paper proceeds by substantiating Zambia’s claim to a relatively peaceful record and introduces ideas of conflict and conflict theories, before arguing that no single general theory dwelling on just one primary “cause” will suffice to explain Zambian exceptionalism. The precise mix of arguments differs for each one Zambia’s three republican eras, as the potential threats to peace have themselves evolved over the period since independence. The paper’s main theoretical claim is that over time the explanation is both multi-layered and dynamic. That said, certain features do stand out, most notably an inherited political culture that is predisposed against the violent resolution of conflict and continues to insulate the country against social and economic traumas and democratic shortcomings.

Item Type:

Journal Article

Subjects:

J Political Science > JQ Political institutions (Asia, Africa, Australia, Pacific Area, etc.)
D History General and Old World > DT Africa

Divisions:

Faculty of Social Sciences > Politics and International Studies

Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):

Democracy -- Zambia, War -- Causes, War and society -- Africa, War (Philosophy), Zambia -- Politics and government -- 1964-1991, Zambia -- Politics and government -- 1991-

Journal or Publication Title:

African Studies

Publisher:

Routledge

ISSN:

0002-0184

Official Date:

December 2005

Dates:

Date	Event
December 2005	Published

Volume:

Vol.64

Number:

No.2

Page Range:

pp. 107-133

Identification Number:

10.1080/00020180500355470

Status:

Peer Reviewed

Access rights to Published version:

Open Access

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