The role, nature and authority of the Legislature in Zambia's One-Party system of Government
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Date
2011-12-16
Authors
Sondashi, Ludwig Sanday
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Abstract
This Dissertation attempts to analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of the Zambia's one-party Legislature within its life time of Ten years from 1974 to 1984. The focus is on the concept of the Legislature and the one-party system of government, to try and discover whether Parliament is being used as an instrument of progressive social change and thus contributing to the enhancement of the rule of law and democratic human values. The subject is presented and analysed within its operational context, that is analysing law in the context of the historical, social and political setting of Zambia, so that it is assessed on its relevance to the objective requirements of that state. Chapter 1 being an introductory chapter examines the arguments for and against the introduction of one-party states, especially Zambia's. It takes note of the persuasive reasons advanced in support of the introduction of the single party system in Zambia as being compatible with the theory of one-party states. Chapter 2 explores the nature, form and content of Zambia's Parliament. This basic understanding is necessary for the analytical evaluation to be made in the next chapter. This chapter reveals that the character and law applicable to this organ, including freedom of speech and parliamentary privileges, are similar to those of Westminster model. On the other hand, it is discovered that the power of the Executive as entrenched in the constitution are designed to make that organ independent of the Legislature without correspondingly altering the powers and functions of Parliament. The source of conflict, therefore, begins from here. Chapter 3 examines the roles of the Speaker and MPs in their collective and individual capacities, and the role of Parliament in relation to the Party and the Executive. The chapter discovers that Parliament faces many constraints mainly arising from internal and external factors, including the principle of supremacy of the Party and Presidentialism and the fact that the Executive is not responsible to Parliament in Zambia legally. The chapter concludes that the Legislature is not very effective, it appears to be. symbolic. The Dissertation concludes by confirming the notion for the insubordination of the Legislature in a one-party state. It makes an observation that despite. the apparent ineffectiveness of Parliament, the Legislature,nevertheless, plays an important educational role and contributes to the political consciousness of the general public and in many instances it has made the government change its course of actions etc. The treatise recommends a review of the role of Legislature in the long run to enable it to play a meaningful role in nation building. The writer has used both theoretical and empirical methods in his research. The work is no doubt intended to contribute to the knowledge of law on this subject.
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Keywords
Government business enterprises -- Zambia. , Political corruption -- Zambia. , Zambia -- Parliament. , Zambia -- Politics and government.