Clientelism and ethnic divisions

Ann-Sofie Isaksson and Arne Bigsten ()

No 598, Working Papers in Economics from University of Gothenburg, Department of Economics

Abstract: In light of the empirical evidence on clientelism and ethno-regional favouritism in African politics, the present paper examines the relationship between ethnic divisions and clientelism. Specifically, we ask whether – and what type of – ethnic divisions affect the experiences with, perceived prevalence of, and attitudes to clientelism. Empirical findings drawing on data for more than 20 000 respondents across 15 African countries challenge the dominant role of ethnic divisions for clientelist practices in Africa. Contextual measures of ethnic fragmentation and ethnic identification are found to have limited explanatory power for the concerned clientelism outcomes, and, considering possible subjects of ethno-regional favouritism, the empirical findings point more to the relevance of regional than ethnically based targeting of clientelist transfers.

Keywords: Clientelism; vote buying; ethnic divisions; Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D72 O12 O55 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 31 pages
Date: 2014-06
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-afr and nep-pol
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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