Research

The state’s authority is undergoing a historic transformation in many parts of Africa. Many African states are struggling to overcome internal conflicts based on ethnic divisions. Central to the objective of my research agenda on the continent are issues of identity and their implications for governance, peace, security, democracy and development.

Liberia, Oct. 05: 1st Post-War Elections

Peace deal in Côte d’Ivoire

Peace deal in S.A.:  Tutu, Mandela, De Klerk

As ethnicity is increasingly influencing the developmental paths of many societies, domestically as well as within inter-nation relations, I have extended my research agenda and teaching interests to Ethnicity in an International Context, broadly embracing statehood, nationalism, and religious fanaticism embedding terrorism, with special emphasis on Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. My research agenda emphasizes the rule of law, more precisely the bureaucracy by exploring conditions under which the discretionary power of bureaucratic institutions could shape identity choice or mitigate its importance for political decision-making.

London: bombing. France: headscarf ban.

BBC News

abidjan.net

Kwasi

AFP

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Research

Work in Progress

Ethnicity and the Prospects for Democracy in Africa

 

In the analysis of ethnic cleavages and the prospects for democracy, I explore the conditions under which ethnic cleavages become politicized and predispose citizens to see communal ties as a basis for policy benefits and for political mobilization.

Ethnicity and Post-conflict State-building in Africa

 

In the examination of Ethnicity and Post-conflict State-building, I explore institutional arrangements in which actors who were part of ethnic conflicts can best negotiate reconciliation of ongoing conflicts and thus embark on reconstructing stable governance.