Abstract:
The purpose of this thesis is to describe and explain the origins of
centra 1 i sed unitary con st itut i ona l forms adopted at independence, with speci a 1
reference to the pre-independence period of colonial rule and the states of
Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Since the states of the world are either
unitary or federal, an attempt is made to distinguish the unitary
constitutional form from federation by contrasting both concepts. The three
states under study are identified as centralised and unitary by referring to
political, historical, legal, administrative and fiscal criteria. The
theoretical and practical origins and explanations for the adoption of unitary
constitutional forms in the European and African context are explained. First,
the theoretical origins of monism, pluralism, dualism, absolutism and
sovereignty and the thoughts of a number of classical theorists are discussed.
Next the practical origins, the statements and perceptions by members of
African nationalist elites supportive of unitary states in Africa in the
colonial and early post-colonial period are referred to, in partial
exp 1 anat ion for the adoption of this con st itut i ona 1 form. British
constitutional practices and precedents are also discussed.
Further, to explain the origins of the centralised unitary state in Africa,
the three case studies of Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia come under
discussion. A four stage conceptual scheme devised by Etzioni and modified for
the purpose of this thesis is utilised to analyse and explain the origins of
the centralised unitary state in the three case studies of Botswana, Zimbabwe
(xii)
and Namibia. A variety of factors both historical and contemporary, internal
and external to these countries are identified and analysed. These factors
include amongst others, early settlement patterns and confiicts, British
colonial practices and precedents, the perceptions and ambitions of
nationalist movements and elites, relationships with neighbouring states, the
climate of opinion, and the requirements of nation-building and political
stability.
The thesis is concluded by comparing the experiences of the three countries
and, setting out several inductive propositions determining under which
conditions these states adopted centralised unitary constitutional forms in
preference to decentralised ones, federation or partition.
Finally, the thesis is concluded by referring in a Postscript to the postindependence
constitutional reassessment in the three countries concerned, the
constitutional reassessment process in Africa in general, literature
references to this process, and the prospects for constitutional reform on the
continent.
