Proceedings of the 22nd International Academic Conference, Lisbon

ETHNIC OR NONETHNIC. WHAT ARE THE POLITICAL PARTIES IN SUBSAHARAN AFRICA.

TOMASZ BICHTA

Abstract:

The paper examines the issue of ethnicity in political parties and its implications for democracy in three African countries: Nigeria, Ghana and Namibia. It also examines the ways ethnic and nonethnic parties deal on political market in different countries. Ethnicity seems to be one of the most important factors that affects on political and social life in African countries. Moreover, since the colonialism and its ruthless and formal end, it is still present in daily life with double power. It is also a frequent element of political parties and their formation. Does it help or leads to conflicts? Is it necessary or avoidable? African politics seems to be accustomed to its ethnical affects and political organizations with ethnic factor are prevalenced all over the continent. It is not a rule however and we have some countries with the advantage of nonethnic parties. For sure the understanding of the ethnicity issue on the political scene allows for more insightful research of party development and dynamics on the continent.

Keywords: Africa, political party, party structure, ethnicity

DOI: 10.20472/IAC.2016.022.015

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