Electoral Politics in Sri Lanka

Presidential Elections, Manipulation and Democracy
1. Auflage 2024
ISBN: 978-1-032-30359-8
Verlag: Routledge

Buch, Englisch, 228 Seiten, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 234 mm, Gewicht: 354 g

Reihe: Europa Country Perspectives

This volume examines and analyses electoral politics in Sri Lanka through the theoretical framework of manipulation. The following questions guided the study: how do political actors manipulate elections, and what are the salient features of electoral politics in Sri Lanka? Primary and secondary data formed the basis of the analysis, examining eight presidential elections. The research findings indicated that Sri Lankan governments, political parties and political leaders have taken advantage of six types of electoral manipulation, including constitutional tinkering, field fixing, time fixing, vote suppression, process manipulation and resource manipulation. Through a close examination of eight presidential elections, research carried out for the volume found that elections are often associated with violence; presidential elections are mainly a majoritarian affair in which minority communities play only a marginal role; there is a significant gender imbalance, as women’s participation in the electoral process is very limited; despite the presence of a large number of candidates contesting the election, it always remains a two-way race; and amid extensive manipulation and other problems, voter participation tends to be high.

This volume will be a valuable resource for students, academics and researchers who focus on democracy, good governance, electoral studies and South Asian politics and history, and will enhance the conceptual foundation of democracy advocates and activists.

Zielgruppe

Academic

Autoren/Hrsg.

Keethaponcalan, S.

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politische Systeme Wahlen und Volksabstimmungen
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politische Kultur Politische Propaganda & Kampagnen, Politik & Medien
• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften: Allgemeines Enzyklopädien, Nachschlagewerke, Wörterbücher

Inhaltsverzeichnis

List of figures

List of Tables

The Author

Acronyms and Abbreviations Preface

1 Theoretical Overview

2 Jayewardene in Control (1982)

3 Premadasa’s Struggle (1988)

4 Battle of the Widows (1994)

5 Saved by an LTTE Bomb (1999)

6 Saved by an LTTE Boycott (2005)

7 Reaping Fruits of War Victory (2010)

8 Rise of an Unlikely Hero (2015)

9 The Rajapaksa Comeback (2019)

10 Conclusion

Index