(Copy) Rwanda

Rwanda is extremely unique when considering the history, government institutions, current state, and more. In 2008, Rwanda held the world's first female-majority legislation. Roughly 55% of those that held position in the Commons were female (Clay, 11). The constitution states that at least 30% of the parliament but be made up of women. The current percentage of women in office is just over 35%. That being said, although women hold positions of power, they are not able to exercise their power. They don't actually have a chance to truly influence government and policy. While Women may be represented in government, they aren't supported. I see the minimum of 30% to be useless because if the women don't truly have the power to change policy, then it essentially provides a false narrative. On the surface level, the requirement appears to be a step in the right direction, but at the root of the problem is gender inequality which still exists throughout all of Rwanda.

There is also a history of monarchical rule. A King would both the government and the state and supported his associated ethnic group. Clearly Ethnic strain has been an issue since day one when it comes to Rwanda and colonization didn't introduce the idea. Traditionally, the Hutus, Tutsis, and Twa were all equally large ethnic groups. Currently, the Tutsis are in control of the government and the Twa now make up less than 2% of the population. That being said, the Hutus and Tutsis have traded power multiple times since the pre-colonial era.

Another interesting fact to point out is the religious situation in Rwanda. Pre-colonization, Rwanda had little to no interest in religion. Islam was introduced before colonization and there was also a small presence of Lutherans. During colonization and after European influence, Christianity became the most prominent religion in Rwanda and still is today. It is important to point out that although ethnic freedom is not particularly stressed, religious freedoms are in fact present in Rwanda. I believe part of this is due to the fact that those in power do not particular claim or enforce one specific religion on to the population.

There are both positive and negative takeaways we can see in Rwanda's political structure. For example, Rwanda is attempting to move toward a democratic state with political and individual freedoms. Some of their ideas such as a 30% minimum of women represented in legislation, political parties that are not solely based on ethnicity, and ____ are important to establish a fair and equal government system.

Rwanda was colonized by the Belgians beginning in the early 1900's. Rwanda became part of the German Empire and was indirectly ruled through a monarch, King Musinga. Although indirectly ruled, the Belgians had an extremely large influence on both the culture and political systems existing in Rwanda.

The most lasting effect of Belgian influence was their "racialised differences of the Hutu and Tutsi" and their introduction to of a "corporate view of ethnicity" (Newbury, ?). This general view of ethnicity did not leave Rwanda with the Belgians and rather still continues to present day. The generalization of individuals is at the foundation for the ethnic divide. This corporate view created cleavages and intensified divisions that were already existing.

The Catholic Church also affected the political structures in Rwanda. The Church had an extremely strong influence. On what traditionally was strictly a non-religious monarchy, Catholic influence forced the collapse of royal power and switched support to a Hutu majority. The Church "manipulated external forces" which led to the change of political structures and marked the beginning of an environment that would be the perfect storm for a revolution (Newbury). The Belgians would provide support to the Hutu majority in order to control over the previous Tutsis that were in power.

Through indirect rule, the Belgians also "provided resources and helped to impose structures for the state-building process" (Newbury). As mentioned earlier, the main effect of their structures was the corporate view of ethnicities. Other results of the structures included an emergence of dual-colonialism, pressure to democratize, and a new organization of political parties. Belgians hoped that an incorporation of european influence to traditional Rwandan political structures would be the most effective way to establish a state most similar to those in the German empire. The Belgians believed that a variety of political parties including a new additional moderate party would lead to a democratized state. Instead, the imposed influence and structures just reinforced the ethnic divide.