Resource
The state of democratic consolidation and economic performance in Namibia
Producer:
Bill Lindeke
Publication year:
2009
Source of the information:
Institute for Public Research
Namibia ranks near the top of the tables in African governance measures. Unlike other countries, Namibians have experienced no political turmoil since independence. Afrobarometer has carried out opinion surveys in 1999, 2002, 2005 and 2008.
This paper analyses in detail the democratic opinions of the Namibian public captured from the Round Four Afrobarometer opinion survey carried out in November 2008. It uses a comparative approach to measure the trends of people’s opinions over time. It discusses the results while graphically displaying the trends.
The paper highlights some of the following indicators to show the continuing mass national support for democratic practices and their operation in Namibia today:
-
Among the twelve registered political parties receiving support in the survey, all except one had a majority of supporters indicating a preference for democracy.
-
In eleven of the thirteen regions a majority expressed a feeling that Namibia is 'completely free'.
-
A majority in each region indicated that they had voted in the last election.
The publication presents the following findings:
-
Preference for Democracy - Respondents indicated a growing preference for democracy while rejecting authoritarian alternatives such as one party, one person or army rule by stronger majorities since the first Afrobarometer survey in 1999.
-
The survey results show Namibians consider the existing political regime in Namibia to be a democracy.
-
Satisfaction with democracy - Namibians expressed strong satisfaction with their democracy.
-
Election Elements - Respondents also found elections to be free and fair in Namibia by a large margin.
-
Development of Democracy and Economic Success Performance - a majority of Namibians feel that the current economic conditions are 'fairly to very good', but poverty and unemployment remain the most important problems.
The paper concludes with the hope that results of the survey will provide encouragement for Namibians and other stakeholders to engage in policy dialogue over their meaning and importance, as well as current areas of concern.
