Abstract

This thesis focuses on the effects of high incumbency turnover of Members of Parliament on representation. Malawi has one of the highest turnover rates of incumbent members of parliament in Africa. Studies from established democracies indicate that high incumbency turnover aids representative democracy as new members bring innovation and quality. These studies further indicate that high turnover makes members of parliament responsive to their constituents. These views are coming from the old democracies where turnover is very low. New democracies especially in Africa, such as Malawi, experience high rates of turnover. Unfortunately this subject has not received much attention in the African region. This thesis therefore set out to find the effects under the latter environment. The study utilized both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection, through desk research, interviews and focus group discussions. The study examined the effects in four constituencies: two in the southern and two in the central regions of Malawi and came up with some interesting trends. There exists a slight relationship between constituents’ satisfaction with an incumbent MP and his/her retention. Satisfaction of the constituents is key to the MPs reelection and in the constituencies studied, constituents expressed dissatisfaction with their MPs as individuals and those who got re-elected in previous elections got their chance due to party influence and financial capability as well as patrimonial tendencies. Rent maximization is one of the direct effects of high incumbency turnover and involves representatives’ deviating from constituents interests. Rent maximization that has been given in this study includes maximizing financial gains, defections and low roll call participation. This thesis also show MPs rent maximization can lead to voter apathy. It further shows that, what drives the incumbent MPs to maximize rents in extreme cases of high turnover is the fact that they fear for their job security. The thesis further shows other effects such as the weakening of political parties. Consequently democracy weakens as people participation goes down. When all the findings are pooled together this study concludes that effects of high incumbency turnover on representation both from constituents’ expectations and the ideals of the word are numerous and adverse.

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School	: School of Law, Economics and Government
Issued Date	: 2009

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