Public Acceptance of Privatisation in Malawi Over Time

Abstract

Privatisation is a policy that governments
in both developed and developing countries
have been implementing with increasing
enthusiasm over the past several decades.
However, few studies have considered
whether people understand and support the
privatisation process, despite the premise
that popular support is often a condition for
the success of privatisation programmes.
This article compares the results of a public
opinion survey conducted in Malawi in 1999
with a more recent survey conducted in 2004.
The comparison reveals that there has been
a substantial decline in public acceptance
of Malawi's privatisation programme during
that period, and that this is indicative of
a non-inclusive policy-making process.

African Insight Vol. 36 (3&4) 2006: pp. 126-140