Title: Faces and implications of the legal framework on democratic consolidation in Tanzania

Authors: Edwin Babeiya

Addresses: Dar es Salaam University College of Education, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 2329, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract: This paper examines the implications of the country's legal framework on democratic consolidation. It establishes that since the adoption of plural politics in Tanzania, the enacted laws have had several faces that have contributed differently to the country's bid to consolidate democracy. These faces have been supportive, restrictive, controversial and indifferent. The paper maintains that despite regulating the conduct of politics especially among political parties, the legal framework has significantly stifled measures and initiatives to consolidate democracy. Consequently, the legal framework has led to an endless battle between laws and party norms, the fragility and reversibility of democratisation gains, suffocation of the voice mechanisms, consolidation of vertical leadership as well as the birth of parallel democratisation movements. The paper reiterates the need for reforming the country's constitution for the good of ongoing initiatives to consolidate democracy.

Keywords: democracy; political parties; democratic consolidation; legal framework; Tanzania.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHRCS.2023.131853

International Journal of Human Rights and Constitutional Studies, 2023 Vol.10 No.3, pp.241 - 258

Received: 19 Apr 2022
Accepted: 20 Apr 2022
Published online: 04 Jul 2023 *

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