Browsing by Author "Swai, Florence Aika"

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    The role and performance of opposition political parties in the development process under multi-party system in Tanzania: the case of Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 1998) Swai, Florence Aika
    The purpose of this study was to asses the performance of the opposition parties under the multi-party system and their contribution to the development process of the country. The study also analysed the importance of opposition parties in effecting democracy and development. The study was trying to answer the question, are opposition parties strong enough to challenge the ruling party in governing the development programs? The study was conducted in Dar Es Salaam and Zanzibar where the parties headquarters are. The two selected areas are the most active in terms of political activities and peoples awareness with regard to political issues. However, the study was forced by circumstances to be done in other areas like Dodoma and Mwanza for accessibility of respondents especially during political parties meetings and parliament sessions. The findings of the study showed that opposition parties are so diverse in nature and that, they do not have a strong base to effect any impact that will be able to challenge the state. Findings show that although some political parties are confident of their position, they would have an impact if they were united. It was also found out that given the dissension in the parties and the lack of unity, people have lost confidence in the opposition parties although their attitude towards multipartism is positive. The study also found out that, there is a lot of confusion in the implementation of development programmes. There seem to be, both duplication of activities in implementing the programs and stiff competition among the implementers to win the attention of the populace. The performance of opposition parties in terms of bringing/influencing democracy and development was found to be minimal given the conditions governing their inception. The laws governing the re-introduction of multi-party system are the same as the ones that prevailed during the single party system. The study found that this was not very conducive in an environment for co-existence of a multitude of political parties. The findings also showed that, inter-party differences and differences in ideologies of opposition parties, weaken their power to challenge the ruling party (CCM). The party in power in Tanzania, stands a better chance of remaining in power as long as opposition parties maintain their differences which have so far been, according to the research findings, detrimental to the growth of opposition political parties. On the basis of these findings, it is recommended that, opposition parties come together and form a strong base, not be able to challenge the state. Even if parties were unable to form some kind of coalition, political parties should strive to convince and gain the confidence of the masses to be able to operate effectively. It may be more feasible to have fewer opposition parties with a focus. This would make a stronger and a more effective opposition. The researcher is of the opinion that the implementation of development programmes will be more effective. It is further recommended that in order to improve the performance of opposition parties in terms of bringing/influencing democracy and development, the conditions governing their multi-party system have to be altered to suit the current political system. It is also strongly recommended that inter-party differences be resolved and ideologies of the opposition parties neglected, to allow parties to work together for a common goal. The study recommends that, opposition political parties should take the position enjoyed by the party in power as a good challenge. It is suggested that they use the performance of the ruling party as a mirror to reflect their position and do the needful to confidence the populace that they have a purpose in the whole process of democratic development. It is suggested a similar study be conducted in the rest of the country to asses the impact and importance of opposition political parties in democratic development process of the country. It will be interesting to find out in details the role and position of women in the political arena and their involvement in the development process.