Courts and the Poor in Malawi: Economic Marginalization, Vulnerability, and the Law

Posted: 16 Jun 2008

See all articles by Siri Gloppen

Siri Gloppen

Chr. Michelsen Institute (CMI); University of Bergen - Department of Comparative Politics

Fidelis Edge Kanyongolo

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: April 2007

Abstract

Malawi's democratic Constitution of 1994 shifted the law in a pro-poor direction. With the judiciary emerging as a surprisingly strong institution in an otherwise weak political system, one might expect a body of pro-poor jurisprudence to develop. This has not been the case, and this article investigates why. After considering patterns of poverty and the role of law in the dynamics of economic marginalization in Malawi, we examine factors assumed to influence the use of courts by the economically marginalized, the strength of their legal voice, and the response of the courts to poor people's social rights claims. We find an interplay between factors impeding the demand for pro-poor justice as well as its supply: lack of litigation resources; high access barriers; the pull of alternative institutions; and the nature of Malawi's legal culture.

Suggested Citation

Gloppen, Siri and Gloppen, Siri and Kanyongolo, Fidelis Edge, Courts and the Poor in Malawi: Economic Marginalization, Vulnerability, and the Law (April 2007). International Journal of Constitutional Law, Vol. 5, Issue 2, pp. 258-293, 2007, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1145494 or http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/icon/mom002

Siri Gloppen (Contact Author)

Chr. Michelsen Institute (CMI) ( email )

P.O.Box 6033 Bedriftssenteret
N-5892 Bergen, 5006
Norway

University of Bergen - Department of Comparative Politics ( email )

Christiesgate 15
Bergen, N-5007
Norway

Fidelis Edge Kanyongolo

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

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