4. The “Boomerang Effect”: Lessons Learned from Power Sharing in Kenya and Zimbabwe

The chapter delves into the political dynamics of Kenya and Zimbabwe following disputed elections, focusing on the power-sharing agreements that were established in both countries. It critically evaluates the classification of these agreements as consociationalism, highlighting the potential distortions this misclassification can cause in the broader understanding of power-sharing phenomena. By examining international data sets, the consociational literature, and regional case studies, the chapter provides a comprehensive analysis of the 'boomerang effect'—where the misapplication of Western concepts to developing areas leads to a distorted understanding of both the concepts and the areas themselves. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between power sharing and consociationalism to avoid such conceptual stretching and its resulting distortions.