Subjective realities: Perceptions of identity and conflict in Ghana and Nigeria

Arnim Langer and Ukoha Ukiwo
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Arnim Langer: Oxford Department of International Development (ODID), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK, Postal: Oxford Department of International Development (ODID), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
Ukoha Ukiwo: Centre for Advanced Social Science (CASS), Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Postal: Centre for Advanced Social Science (CASS), Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Journal of International Development, 2009, vol. 21, issue 4, 483-494

Abstract: Drawing on perceptions survey research conducted in Ghana and Nigeria, this article explores whether differences in the salience of ethnic and religious identities and interethnic and religious attitudes and interaction, might contribute to explaining the different histories of violence and conflict in these two countries. Based on the finding that ethnic identities are more salient in the Nigerian sampled communities than in the Ghanaian ones, whereas national and occupational identities are more salient in Ghana than in Nigeria, the authors suggest that ethnic mobilisation is more likely to be successful in Nigeria than in Ghana. The authors argue that this finding could possibly explain why Nigeria has experienced more incidents of violent conflicts along ethnic lines than Ghana; although the causality is likely to go both ways. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Date: 2009
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:wly:jintdv:v:21:y:2009:i:4:p:483-494

DOI: 10.1002/jid.1570

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