POLI1228 · Political Science

The Dynamics of West African Politics

Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences

What are the causes behind the military coups that took place in four West African countries within the past three years? Why have elections not been successful in granting legitimacy to several Sahelian nations? Is there a correlation between institutional weaknesses, trends in collective identities, and strategies used by interest groups that have triggered political violence? This course aims to analyze and propose plausible answers to these questions. The purpose is to provide a framework that could assist in comprehending the political sociology of Francophone West Africa and aid in the pursuit of stable states. This main focus is on the domestic politics of Francophone countries in West Africa from a comparative perspective. Various topics that will be examined include: 'ethnic violence', 'political crises', 'spiritual insecurity', 'hybrid political esotericism', 'military coups', 'contested elections' and 'endemic corruption--all of which are prominent issues within the West African political sphere. International actors, factors, organizations, and parameters are considered only insofar as they are relevant to local politics and are crucial for the understanding of the primary political dynamics of West Africa.