Inequalities and Conflict in Africa: An empirical investigation

Ayodele Odusola, Amarakoon Bandara, Rogers Dhliwayo and Becaye Diarra

No 267040, UNDP Africa Reports from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Abstract: Inequalities and poverty are important drivers of social exclusion, while conflict, social unrest and instability are its manifestation. The preponderance of conflicts in poor and unequal societies has long been documented in the literature.1 As Nagel succinctly argues, “political discontent and its consequences – protest, instability, violence, revolution – depend not only on the absolute level of economic well-being, but also on the distribution of wealth” (Nagel, 1974:453). According to the Kuznets’ inverted-U theory, a high level of income inequality radicalises the proletariat, enhances class polarisation and reduces the tolerance of the bourgeoisie for low-income group participation in political and decisionmaking processes (Muller, 1997).

Keywords: International; Development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 23
Date: 2017-08-01
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Working Paper: Inequalities and Conflict in Africa: An empirical investigation (2017)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:undpar:267040

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.267040

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