5 - State-Society Relations under Competitive Authoritarian Regime: A Study on Punitive Voting in Mozambique

This study examines state-society relations in Mozambique, focusing on recent local elections in 2023 and general elections in 2024. Despite democratic reforms, the current regime maintains power through a competitive authoritarian system, using resource distribution to secure support and further integrating the ruling party with state apparatus.

Thirty years after democratization, the traditional narratives of the ruling and main opposition parties have lost resonance with younger generations, who view them as beneficiaries of vested interests. This shift has led to strategic punitive voting among frustrated voters seeking legitimate institutional operations. Recent elections have seen voters signalling discontent with existing parties through their voting behaviour. Emerging third-force parties are adopting network-based strategies rather than traditional organized party activities, appealing to younger, independent voters disillusioned with the current political landscape. One finding of this case study may be that “signalling” in elections under authoritarian regimes is not a privilege that dictators can use, but something that voters can issue against the dictator. This case study explores the extent of change demanded by punitive voting. It investigates whether voters are merely seeking corrections in the party-state's authoritarian management or if their demands extend beyond this. The research provides insights into the complex nature of state-society relations in Mozambique's evolving political environment, shedding light on the interplay between established power structures and emerging voter dynamics.