Beyond Ethnic Politics in Africa

Focussing on Sub-Saharan Africa, Dominika Koter analyses why ethnic politics emerge in some ethnically diverse societies, but not in others.

Dominika Koter (Author)

9781107171497, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 13 October 2016

220 pages
23.5 x 15.6 x 2 cm, 0.48 kg

'Dominika Koter presents a forceful and convincing argument, which makes an important contribution to the literature. It is shown that electoral mobilization along ethnic lines is not unavoidable, with politicians resorting to ethnic politics only when local leaders in their country cannot act as credible electoral intermediaries. Although more research needs to be conducted to positively assert that this argument can be generalized, Beyond Ethnic Politics in Africa should be essential reading for students and scholars of African politics broadly, and ethnicity, electoral politics and clientelism more specifically.' Athanasios Stathopoulos, Democratization

Why do ethnic politics emerge in some ethnically diverse societies but not others? Focusing on sub-Saharan Africa, Dominika Koter argues that the prevailing social structures of a country play a central role in how politicians attempt to mobilize voters. In particular, politicians consider the strength of local leaders, such as chiefs or religious dignitaries, who have historically played a crucial role in many parts of rural Africa. Local leaders can change the electoral dynamics by helping politicians secure votes among people of different ethnicities. Ethnic politics thus can be avoided where there are local leaders who can serve as credible electoral intermediaries between voters and politicians. Koter shows that there is widespread variation in the standing of local leaders across Africa, as a result of long-term historical trends, which has meant that politicians have mobilized voters in qualitatively different ways, resulting in different levels of ethnic politics across the continent.

1. The challenge of winning votes and ethnic politics in Africa
2. A theory of social ties and electoral politics
3. Social structure and its origins
4. Mobilization strategies and electoral outcomes in Senegal and Benin
5. Intermediaries in urban and rural settings
6. Social structure and ethnic politics in Africa and beyond
7. Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Political structures: democracy [JPHV], Elections & referenda [JPHF], Comparative politics [JPB], Ethnic studies [JFSL]