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Do Ethnic Groups Retain Homogenous Preferences in African Politics? Evidence from Sierra Leone and Liberia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 October 2013

Fodei Batty
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Abstract:

It is frequently argued that ethnic groups across Alrica retain homogenous preferences stemming from a sense of collective identity and shared destiny, and that they unvaryingly prefer the same outcomes in zero-sum competitions for scarce resources. This article presents results from comparative field surveys examining these claims in Sierra Leone and Liberia following postconflict elections. In contradiction with conventional expectations, the results show corroboration on several issues across voters from several ethnic groups as well as heterogeneity in preferences among voters from the same ethnic groups in both countries. The implications for democratization and conflict resolution in Africa are discussed. E-mail: fbatty@colgate.edu

Résumé:

Résumé:

On avance souvent que les groupes ethniqucs à travers l'Afrique conservent des préférences d'homogénéité provenant d'un sens d'identité collective et d'une destinée partagée, et qu'ils favorisent les mêmes opinions dans la concurrence pour les ressources limitées. Cet article présente les résultats de sondages comparalifs mettant en question ces affirmations en Sierra Leone et au Libéria, à la suite du vote d'élections après un conflit. Contre toute attente, les résultats montrent un esprit de collaboration sur plusieurs questions entre les membres d'ethnies différentes, ainsi que des différences d'opinion entre les membres des mêmes ethnics, dans les deux pays, Cet article aborde les implications de la démocratisation et des processus de résolution des conflits en Afrique.

Type
Research Article
Information
African Studies Review , Volume 54 , Issue 1 , April 2011 , pp. 117 - 143
Copyright
Copyright © African Studies Association 2011

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