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Law and Society under a Democratic Dictatorship: Dr. Banda and Malawi

2001; Brill; Volume: 36; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1163/156852101753289610

1569-2108

Peter Förster,

International Law and Human Rights

The regime of Dr. Banda in Malawi was characterized by various methods of social control, but an appeal to tradition was one source of legitimacy. The concept of authoritarian populism can be applied. The principal means of law enforcement was through operation of the courts. These were developed from precolonial systems and were modified during the British period. They administer justice without due regard to technicalities, and rules of evidence are less strict than in the Western-type system. Under Banda, their scope was extended. The Western-type system also operated but its scope was diminished and Banda felt free to interfere. Workings of traditional courts could be problematic particularly in view of Dr. Banda's interpretation of tradition and the use of them for political trials. But abolition could also prove problematic, and they still operate in a watered-down form. Issues are raised about the cross-cultural applicability of human rights.