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Ethnicity and Party Systems in Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa

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  • Basedau, Matthias
  • Stroh, Alexander

Abstract

Despite earlier assumptions that ethnicity is a central feature of African party systems, there is little substantial evidence for this claim. The few studies with an empirical foundation rarely rely on individual data and are biased in favor of Anglophone Africa. This paper looks at four Francophone countries, drawing on four representative survey polls in Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Multivariate regression models and bivariate control tools reveal that ethnicity matters as a determinant of party preference, but that its impact is generally rather weak and differs with regard to party systems and individual parties. 'Ethnic parties' in the strict sense are almost completely absent, and only the Beninese party system is substantially 'ethnicized'. In particular, regional ties between voters and leaders - rather than ethnic affiliation alone - deserve attention in the future study of voting behavior in Africa.

Suggested Citation

  • Basedau, Matthias & Stroh, Alexander, 2009. "Ethnicity and Party Systems in Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa," GIGA Working Papers 100, GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:gigawp:100
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    1. Lemarchand, René, 1972. "Political Clientelism and Ethnicity in Tropical Africa:* Competing Solidarities in Nation-Building," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 66(1), pages 68-90, March.
    2. Mozaffar, Shaheen & Scarritt, James R. & Galaich, Glen, 2003. "Electoral Institutions, Ethnopolitical Cleavages, and Party Systems in Africa's Emerging Democracies," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 97(3), pages 379-390, August.
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