Three lessons for politicians in a coalition system dominated by proportional representation
with FM deputy editor Natasha Marrian’s observation that South Africa’s politicians have failed to learn the management of coalitions.
I concur with the point that politicians have failed to learn from previous coalitions in South Africa. Part of this failure is reflected in Zille’s take. She wishes for a coalition system that protects political parties that didn’t achieve a 50%-plus threshold. This is akin to maintaining unjustifiable political hegemony. As I — and others — have argued elsewhere, election results without a majority winner are a part of democracy.
All political actors must negotiate and maintain coalition agreements strategically, without arrogance; and
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