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Executive turnovers in sub-Saharan Africa

Author

Listed:
  • David F Damore

    (Department of Political Science, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA)

  • Michelle Kuenzi

    (Department of Political Science, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA)

Abstract

We use competing risks duration analysis to examine the role of ethnicity and governance institutions in executive turnovers of power in 47 sub-Saharan African countries between 1960 and 2008. Using measures that capture the politically important aspects of countries’ ethnic divisions, we find that as compared to countries characterized by one, and only one, potential majority ethnic grouping, leaders’ tenures are shorter in countries with a majority ethnic group that comprises a majority subgroup and that these leaders are at risk of losing power through both coups and elections. In contrast, leaders of countries with no ethnic majority group are better positioned to stave off coups, perhaps by undercutting rivals’ efforts to coordinate among different ethnic groups. Our results, however, suggest that the effectiveness of this strategy wanes over time. Although the results also suggest that the type of regime matters, they do not indicate a monotonic relationship between democracy and elections and authoritarianism and coups.

Suggested Citation

  • David F Damore & Michelle Kuenzi, 2019. "Executive turnovers in sub-Saharan Africa," International Area Studies Review, Center for International Area Studies, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, vol. 22(1), pages 21-40, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:intare:v:22:y:2019:i:1:p:21-40
    DOI: 10.1177/2233865918822260
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    References listed on IDEAS

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