Transitions to Democracy
...the MPLA came into rule in 1975 after leading the independence movement. UNITA began a civil war almost immediately after being freed by the Portugese, feeling that the MPLA should not rule. The Marxist’s MPLA was backed by the Soviets and Cuba for they are communists and the UNITA was backed by America and South Africa, two leading democratic powers in the world. With the Cold War at hand and the withdrawal of Cuban troops the MPLA began it’s transition to democracy. Even with the shift of principles by the MPLA the civil war waged on. UNITA was lead by Jonas Savimbi and controlled 80% of the Diamond trade in Angola. Civil war took place until 1994 when there was peace over the land due to the Lusaka peace accord led by the UN. In 1998 Savimbi violated the accord by refusing to disarm and demobilize his army. Savimbi was killed in 2002 and his troops were forced to be disarmed. After 30 years of civil war democracy as prevailed in Angola. Tough Angola is very poor it still has become a democracy due to its long civil war. 30 years of fight at last leading to peace. This is one on few cases where war waged for so long just to the decision of democracy. The democratization of Angola contributed to war and to peace. Many people of Angola wanted a democratic reform that they fought a war to get it. Once thy did they became peaceful. This is shown as one country that has been both peaceful and war like due to the democratization of the country. The most deciding factor of the civil war was due to the first ideology of a Marxist nation held by MPLA. That is why the war waged for so long. Once they switched UNITA had already been formed by a democratic group and now thought there party should be in control even when the now shared the same belief as MPLA. So that is why the war waged for another 12 years. At that time is was basically a Democracy v. Democracy war. So the country was a democracy. But it just wanted to be determined who the ruler was the MPLA or UNITA. So instead of elections the fought each other In order for democracy to become the controlling government quicker and smoother there either should be no government intact in a country or have a small government that could be easily overthrown. If this were to happen the process to democratization would be a lot more peaceful and smoother. Some advice and better adjustments to form a democracy quicker and smoother is to have a lot of people in the country ...