THE IMPACT OF VOTER EXIT ON PARTY SURVIVAL: EVIDENCE FROM ZIMBABWE’S ZANU-PF

Chipo Dendere

Abstract

This dissertation considers the impact of voter exit on the survival of incumbent regimes. I argue that voters exit the political process as a result of emigration or political violence. Using the example of Zimbabwe, I argue that ZANU-PF benefited from the exit of nearly four million Zimbabweans who emigrated outside the country in response to declining economic conditions and who exited the political system as a result of violence.