Report

Strengthening parliamentary democracy in SADC countries: Swaziland Country report

“This report confirms three major features that underpin the methodological
presupposition of the study. The features are:
• the nature and effects of the power of tradition that enkindle and sustain the
dominance of the monarchy in all aspects of Swazi life;
• that there are accepted definitions of democracy and ideals which are those
that are either systematically imposed by the monarchy on public discourse, or are agreeable to the king and the ruling aristocracy because they do not
threaten the survival of the king;
• the major purpose of the existence of the Swazi parliament and indeed all state institutions is primarily to serve the head of state. Hence the monarchy is the principle around which all macro and micro political and economic power displays – including inherent traditional practices – are organised. The rules of all political behaviour thus derive from the king.”