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Social protection, electoral competition, and political branding in Malawi

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  • Sam Hamer
  • Jeremy Seekings

Abstract

Competitive elections in many parts of Africa generate powerful incentives to presidential candidates (and to a lesser extent political parties) to brand themselves in ways that transcend regional or ethnic loyalties. In Malawi, Joyce Banda—President from 2012 to 2014—sought to distinguish herself from her competitors by branding herself and her new People's Party as the champions of social protection for women, children, and the poor. Some of the conditions that favoured Banda's adoption of a social protection brand were specific to the political context in Malawi.

Suggested Citation

  • Sam Hamer & Jeremy Seekings, 2017. "Social protection, electoral competition, and political branding in Malawi," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2017-99, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2017-99
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    File URL: https://www.wider.unu.edu/sites/default/files/wp2017-99.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Clive Gabay, 2014. "Two 'transitions': the political economy of Joyce Banda's rise to power and the related role of civil society organisations in Malawi," Review of African Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 41(141), pages 374-388, September.
    2. Dionne, Kim Yi & Horowitz, Jeremy, 2016. "The Political Effects of Agricultural Subsidies in Africa: Evidence from Malawi," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 215-226.
    3. Blessings Chinsinga & Colin Poulton, 2014. "Beyond Technocratic Debates: The Significance and Transience of Political Incentives in the Malawi Farm Input Subsidy Programme (FISP)," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 32(s2), pages 123-150, September.
    4. David Stasavage, 2005. "Democracy and Education Spending in Africa," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 49(2), pages 343-358, April.
    5. repec:wbk:wbpubs:2246 is not listed on IDEAS
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    Cited by:

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    2. Chinsinga, Blessings & Weldeghebrael, Ezana Haddis & Kelsall, Tim & Schulz, Nicolai & Williams, Timothy P., 2022. "Using political settlements analysis to explain poverty trends in Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda and Tanzania," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).

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