Party Politics and Populism in Zambia: Michael Sata and Political Change, 1955–2014

The political history of Zambia is analyzed through a study of Michael Sata, revealing the interaction between party politics and populism, the nature and competitiveness of electoral politics, and the importance of individual political leadership to the success of opposition parties in Africa. The book argues that three factors—structural, economic, and personal—are needed to understand when and how populism develops. It explores the nature and style of Sata's political strategy, the grievances he articulated and played on, the constituencies he targeted and mobilized, the policy appeals around which he rallied support, and the language with which he expressed those appeals. It also examines the growth of populism in Zambia and its practice in party politics since the 1950s, providing new insights into the long shadow of late colonialism on the country's contemporary politics and the evolution of political ideas and populist strategies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 246 pages
Publication date: 21 May 2024
Publisher: James Currey

Analysis of the political history of Zambia through a study of Michael Sata reveals the interplay between party politics and populism since the 1950s, the nature and competitiveness of electoral politics in single or dominant party regimes, and the importance of individual political leadership to the success of opposition parties in Africa. Javier Milei in Argentina, Donald Trump in the United States, Giorgia Meloni in Italy, Narendra Modi in India, and Julius Malema in South Africa are all populist leaders who have thrived in party politics across the world. Structural changes such as globalization, rising inequality, and increased voter detachment from traditional parties have given rise to distinct social grievances on which the populist leader feeds. However, the question remains: how does such a leader emerge? This book uses the study of Michael Sata, former president of Zambia and one of the most intriguing political figures of modern African history, to provide insight into the origins and personality of the populist. It argues that three factors - the structural, the economic, and the personal - are needed to understand when and how populism develops. Based on exclusive interviews with Sata, as well as with his friends, allies, opponents, and journalists, and on newspapers, archives, personal correspondence, and participant observation, Sata's election to the Zambian presidency in 2011 is explained as the culmination of a political journey spanning the late colonial period (1953-1964), the years of one-party rule (1973-1991), and the era of multiparty democracy (since 1991). The book explores the nature and style of his political strategy, the grievances that he articulated and played on, the constituencies he targeted and mobilized, the policy appeals around which he rallied support, and the challenges he faced during his tenure. It also examines the impact of Sata's populism on Zambia's political landscape and the broader African continent. Through a combination of historical analysis and contemporary insights, the book offers a unique perspective on the rise of populism in Africa and its potential implications for the future of democracy and governance in the region.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781847013927