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Ethnicity, National Identity and the State: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa

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  • Green, Elliott

Abstract

The process by which people transfer their allegiance from ethnic to national identities is highly topical yet somewhat opaque. This article argues that one of the key determinants of national identification is membership in a ‘core’ ethnic group, or Staatsvolk, and whether or not that group is in power. It uses the example of Uganda as well as Afrobarometer data to show that, when the core ethnic group is in power (as measured by the ethnic identity of the president), members of this group identify more with the nation, but when this group is out of power members identify more with their ethnic group. This finding has important implications for the study of nationalism, ethnicity and African politics.

Suggested Citation

  • Green, Elliott, 2020. "Ethnicity, National Identity and the State: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 50(2), pages 757-779, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:bjposi:v:50:y:2020:i:2:p:757-779_17
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    Cited by:

    1. Miceal Canavan & Oguzhan Turkoglu, 2023. "Effect of group status and conflict on national identity: Evidence from the Brexit referendum in Northern Ireland," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 60(6), pages 921-934, November.
    2. Tahiru Azaaviele Liedong, 2022. "The Liability of Tribe in Corporate Political Activity: Ethical Implications for Political Contestability," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 181(3), pages 623-644, December.
    3. Michael A. Abebe & Yamlaksira S. Getachew & Sarah Kimakwa, 2022. "Entrepreneurs’ Ethnic and Political Identity Alignment as Determinants of Access to Government Support in Africa: A Conceptual Framework," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 46(2), pages 449-476, March.

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