The Pitfalls of Constitution-‐making in Tanzania: The Lessons so far
No Thumbnail Available
Date
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
Description
Big claims are made for the constitution. When it suits them, politicians in power use it as an excuse to divert attention from bigger issues. Politicians wanting to get into power use it as a mobilizing stratagem. Activists in NGOs use it to advance their advocacy work for human rights, gender rights, land rights, disabled rights, women’s rights, children’s rights, cultural rights, consumer rights, and a host of other rights. Political scientists and constitutional lawyers use it to propagate liberal democracy, multipartism, good governance, transparency, accountability, rule of law and legalism which they have picked up from their textbooks and consultancy clients such as the World Bank, USAID, DfID, donors and Foundations. Radical nationalists, a species that is fast disappearing, use it to assert national identity.
Keywords
constitution-making, Tanzania