Even with laws, access to information is a work in progress Sophie Sunderland and Joseph Asunka - April 19, 2024 Across Africa, few citizens are confident they could actually get a look at government budgets and contracts.
In citizens’ assessments, most African police forces come up short Matthias Krönke, Thomas Isbell, and Makanga Ronald Kakumba - March 22, 2024 From protests to traffic stops, negative experiences often mark the public’s views of police professionalism.
What does it take to build up women’s rights after war? Miriam J. Anderson - August 18, 2022 This nuanced compilation looks at women’s empowerment after Sierra Leone’s civil war, from different perspectives
Announcing the ninth African Politics Summer Reading Spectacular! Laura Seay and Kim Yi Dionne - June 2, 2022 Join us in reading some of the latest books on African politics
Can Africa ‘leapfrog’ the traditional electricity model? Kangwook Han and Carolyn Logan - April 21, 2022 Slow progress on national power grids leaves many households looking to off-grid sources
Africans across 34 countries see the police as predatory, not protective Carolyn Logan - March 19, 2022 Afrobarometer’s latest surveys indicate poorer citizens are more likely than the wealthy to be pressured to pay bribes
Burkina Faso’s coup makers capitalized on wider grievances within the ranks Maggie Dwyer - January 28, 2022 But the new military leadership may find it difficult to meet soldiers’ demands for more support in the fight against Islamist militants
Some Africans — but not all — are happy with the quality of their elections Fredline M'Cormack-Hale and Carolyn Logan - November 12, 2021 The fourth in Afrobarometer’s special democracy summit series on Africa.
South Sudan promised to investigate civil war atrocities. Why hasn’t that happened? Jacqueline R. McAllister - October 5, 2021 The peace deal included a plan for an Africa-led hybrid court
Can you be a citizen of more than one country? Here’s what to learn from Liberia. Fulya Felicity Turkmen - August 26, 2021 A new book explores national and transnational citizenship in the 21st century
Africans find it hard to learn what their governments are up to. It’s no surprise many suspect corruption. Joseph Asunka and Carolyn Logan - May 20, 2021 The lack of transparency affects people’s views of government, Afrobarometer surveys find
Don’t believe the hype about China’s ‘vaccine diplomacy’ in Africa Lina Benabdallah - March 4, 2021 Chinese medical experts have been sharing expertise and assistance throughout Africa for decades.
Fewer Africans think taxes are legitimate. That’s a problem. Thomas Isbell and Lulu Olan’g - February 25, 2021 How citizens view taxation could be critical to government responses to emergencies such as the coronavirus
Africans want elections, but fewer believe they work Mavis Zupork Dome and Fredline M'Cormack-Hale - February 11, 2021 Faith in electoral accountability has declined in the past decade
Africans think their governments aren’t fighting corruption hard enough Christiaan Keulder - January 28, 2021 But they fear punishment if they speak up against it
Coronavirus crisis tests social bonds in Africa Luyando Mutale Katenda, Carolyn Logan, and Aminatou Seydou - December 17, 2020 The latest Afrobarometer surveys find evidence of both unity and discrimination in 18 African countries
A special Kosovo war crimes court will try its ex-president. So how do ‘hybrid’ courts work? Dennis R. Schmidt - November 22, 2020 Courts that are simultaneously domestic and international can help overcome suspicions about fairness
U.S.-China competition may be a win-win for Africa Naunihal Singh, Josephine Appiah-Nyamekye Sanny, and E. Gyimah-Boadi - November 19, 2020 Afrobarometer surveys find many Africans approve of U.S. and Chinese investment in the continent.
A covid-19 vaccine might be tough to distribute in countries at war Jori Breslawski - November 12, 2020 Misinformation is just one of the challenges
Nigerians are protesting police abuses. How do citizens of other African countries view the police? Josephine Appiah-Nyamekye Sanny and Brian Howard - November 5, 2020 Afrobarometer surveys reveal where people are less likely to trust the police
Guinea’s president claims he won reelection. Thousands of Guineans disagree. Lisa Mueller - October 30, 2020 Electoral protests in Africa rarely end up ousting an incumbent who defies term limits
Many Africans distrust their governments. How will that affect their coronavirus response? E. Gyimah-Boadi and Carolyn Logan - May 1, 2020 How governments handle the pandemic — whether with compassion or corruption — will influence attitudes for years to come.
New Afrobarometer data shows Africans want elections — especially if they bring change at the top Sadhiska Bhoojedhur and Michael Bratton - July 9, 2019 That’s what Sudan’s protesters are risking their lives for. They’re not alone in their demands.
How Huawei could survive Trump Jordan Link - June 9, 2019 In Africa, basic connectivity needs and lower prices may outweigh security concerns.
The U.S. revoked the visa for the ICC prosecutor. That bodes poorly for international criminal justice. Judith Kelley - April 8, 2019 If the U.S. doesn’t respect international law, why should other nations?
Pete Buttigieg argues against free college. This is why progressives can’t agree about subsidizing tuition. Elizabeth Popp Berman - April 5, 2019 What is a college education for, and who benefits from it?
Trump says Hoda Muthana can’t come back to the U.S. after leaving to join the Islamic State. Should we think of her as a child soldier? Alexis Henshaw - February 22, 2019 Women who are ex-combatants get treated differently from those who are men.
How WhatsApp influenced Nigeria’s recent election — and what it taught us about ‘fake news.’ Nic Cheeseman, Jonathan Fisher, Jamie Hitchen, and Idayat Hassan - February 15, 2019 WhatsApp’s use as a tool for political campaigns and sharing
Human rights workers are getting killed in Colombia. Here’s what could help save the peace. Shauna Gillooly and Kelebogile Zvobgo - February 11, 2019 Just over two years ago, the Colombian government and the
African countries have started to push back against Chinese development aid. Here’s why. Richard Aidoo - October 16, 2018 [caption id="attachment_78950" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Senegal President Macky Sall, left, and
Ebola is back — and a threat to people in Congo. Are African public health systems ready? Emmanuel Balogun and Amy Patterson - September 27, 2018 [caption id="attachment_78280" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A health worker in protective gear
China is offering ‘no strings attached aid’ to Africa. Here’s what that means. Xiaojun Li - September 27, 2018 [caption id="attachment_77825" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, attends
Can Angola’s new president get rid of corruption and revive his party’s reputation? Austin Doctor - August 3, 2018 [caption id="attachment_76305" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Angolan President João Lourenço, left, and
How rape is weaponized in civil wars Laura Seay - June 29, 2018 [caption id="attachment_75113" align="aligncenter" width="658"] (Cornell University Press)[/caption] When I began
U.N. peacekeeping really can be effective. Here’s how we tabulated this. Lisa Hultman, Håvard Hegre, and Håvard Nygård - June 28, 2018 [caption id="attachment_70668" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A U.N. peacekeeper stands guard as
Four things you should know about mutinies Kim Yi Dionne - June 15, 2018 [caption id="attachment_74566" align="aligncenter" width="5028"] Soldiers guard a checkpoint in Gwoza, Nigeria,
In Africa, presidential term limits are working Alexander Noyes - April 24, 2018 [caption id="attachment_68543" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Departing President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf arrives for
This is why Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was just awarded the $5 million Ibrahim prize Pamela Scully - February 13, 2018 [caption id="attachment_69195" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Former Liberia president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Sierra Leone goes to the polls on March 7. Here are the 5 things you need to know. Luisa Enria and Jamie Hitchen - February 7, 2018 [caption id="attachment_68931" align="aligncenter" width="960"] In this 2012 photo, voters in
Liberia has a new president. Here are 3 things to watch for in his first 100 days. Sabrina Karim - January 29, 2018 [caption id="attachment_68544" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Liberia's new president, George Weah, speaks
Why do some elections in Africa turn violent? Meshack Simati - November 22, 2017 [caption id="attachment_66541" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Jubilee Party supporters cheer Nov. 20
Within 7 years, refugees are self-sufficient and contributing to the U.S., on average Ramya Vijaya, Monica Miller, and David Fletcher - August 15, 2017 On June 20, World Refugee Day, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney
Can Trump count on Manila to put pressure on North Korea? 3 points to know. Sheena Greitens - May 16, 2017 [caption id="attachment_58378" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte speaks at
We examined more than 1,300 journalist killings between 2002 and 2013. Here’s what we learned. Sabine Carey and Anita Gohdes - March 28, 2017 [caption id="attachment_55987" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A journalist from the Balochistan Union
When the U.S. funds global health, other countries do too Amy Patterson - March 21, 2017 [caption id="attachment_12934" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Health workers take blood samples for
Do women matter to national security? The men who lead U.S. foreign policy don’t think so. Joshua Busby and Heather Hurlburt - February 2, 2017 [caption id="attachment_37781" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces
After a professor’s op-ed went viral, this is what happened next Andrew Reynolds - January 23, 2017 [caption id="attachment_39220" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Opponents of House Bill 2 protest
Food scarcity causes conflicts — but so can food abundance. Here’s why. Ore Koren - November 23, 2016 [caption id="attachment_49828" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Displaced Iraqis receive food at a
Were 75 percent of Liberian women and girls raped? No. So why is the U.N. repeating that misleading ‘statistic’? Dara Cohen and Hoover Green - October 26, 2016 [caption id="attachment_48428" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Two women try on clothes at
Two years ago, Ebola became a public health emergency. Here are 5 lessons for fighting Zika Amy Patterson - August 8, 2016 [caption id="attachment_40344" align="aligncenter" width="908"] People pass a an Ebola awareness
This is what the conviction of Chad’s former dictator means for African human rights Elise Keppler - June 10, 2016 [caption id="attachment_41896" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Chad's former dictator Hissène Habré raises
It’s been 25 years since Sierra Leone’s brutal civil war. Here’s what we know about helping communities recover. Rachel Glennerster - May 13, 2016 [caption id="attachment_40498" align="aligncenter" width="1027"] Innovations for Poverty Action Sierra Leone
The World Health Organization is electing a new leader. Here’s what you need to know. Karen Grépin, Joshua Busby, and Jeremy Youde - May 12, 2016 [caption id="attachment_40344" align="aligncenter" width="908"] People pass a banner that is
How to understand the complicated history of ‘go back to Africa’ Fodei Batty - April 26, 2016 [caption id="attachment_38201" align="aligncenter" width="4868"] Africa, from space. (NASA)[/caption] The pejorative
Uniting warring armies after a civil war sounds like a good idea. Here’s why it usually fails. Ronald Krebs and Roy Licklider - April 3, 2016 [caption id="attachment_38219" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Members of the Sudan People's Liberation
Why free love in the FARC isn’t so free. (You wouldn’t know it from reading the New York Times.) Roxanne Krystalli - March 24, 2016 [caption id="attachment_37782" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A member of the Revolutionary Armed
What the HIV/AIDS epidemic can tell us about how to fight Zika Mark Daku - March 7, 2016 [caption id="attachment_35717" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A member of the Brazilian Air
Three lessons from Ebola can help us fight the Zika virus Maryam Deloffre - February 14, 2016 [caption id="attachment_35717" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A member of the Brazilian Air
Who's fighting the Islamic State? Five things you need to know about militias in civil wars. - September 21, 2015 [caption id="attachment_29541" align="aligncenter" width="1484"] In this Saturday, June 14, 2014
Who’s fighting the Islamic State? Five things you need to know about militias in civil wars. Stathis Kalyvas, Livia Schubiger, and Corinna Jentzsch - September 21, 2015 [caption id="attachment_29541" align="aligncenter" width="1484"] In this Saturday, June 14, 2014
Meet America's own warlord Laura Seay - August 28, 2015 [caption id="attachment_29061" align="aligncenter" width="982"] FILE - In this Aug. 11,
Meet America’s own warlord Laura Seay - August 28, 2015 [caption id="attachment_29061" align="aligncenter" width="982"] FILE - In this Aug. 11,
Are Muslim countries really unreceptive to religious freedom? Daniel Philpott - July 10, 2015 [caption id="attachment_27253" align="aligncenter" width="620" class="center"] In this Friday, Dec. 28,
Taking stock of 'good coups' in Africa - May 18, 2015 [caption id="attachment_24939" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Boys walk behind patrolling soldiers in
Taking stock of ‘good coups’ in Africa Sebastian Elischer - May 18, 2015 [caption id="attachment_24939" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Boys walk behind patrolling soldiers in
Jobs and jail might not keep young men out of crime, but how about therapy? Chris Blattman - April 15, 2015 [caption id="attachment_23800" align="aligncenter" width="1484"] Liberian security forces blockade an area
As Ebola is contained, what's next for Sierra Leone? Laura Seay - April 9, 2015 [caption id="attachment_23523" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] A billboard overlooking Freetown, Sierra Leone
As Ebola is contained, what’s next for Sierra Leone? Lisa Denney - April 9, 2015 [caption id="attachment_23523" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] A billboard overlooking Freetown, Sierra Leone
Are African peacekeepers prone to mutiny? Maggie Dwyer - March 25, 2015 [caption id="attachment_23071" align="aligncenter" width="620"] An African Union (AU) peacekeeper walks
Who has responsibility for Ebola? The IMF, the West, or unpleasant accounting? Chris Blattman - January 7, 2015 [caption id="attachment_19849" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] People hold up signs as they
The IMF’s influence on poor countries’ health systems – and Ebola, explained Martin McKee, Lawrence King, and Alexander Kentikelenis - January 6, 2015 [caption id="attachment_19796" align="alignnone" width="620"] A vulture flies off as others
5 things you should read before saying the IMF is blameless in the 2014 Ebola outbreak Kim Yi Dionne and Adia Benton - January 5, 2015 Last week, Chris Blattman asked in his post, “Did the
Did the International Monetary Fund help make the Ebola crisis? Chris Blattman - December 30, 2014 [caption id="attachment_19619" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] An Ebola sign placed in front
They know it's Christmas Laura Seay - November 17, 2014 Today marks the release of a new version of "Do
They know it’s Christmas Laura Seay - November 17, 2014 Today marks the release of a new version of "Do
As thousands protest against term limit extension in Burkina Faso, will other African presidents take note? Ken Opalo - October 28, 2014 On Tuesday, protesters in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso’s second city,
It's Columbus Day. Let's talk about geography (and Ebola). - October 14, 2014 [caption id="attachment_16722" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Map created by SafariBookings.com to show
It’s Columbus Day. Let’s talk about geography (and Ebola). Laura Seay and Kim Yi Dionne - October 14, 2014 [caption id="attachment_16722" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Map created by SafariBookings.com to show
AFRICOM’s Ebola response and the militarization of humanitarian aid Laura Seay, Ryan McDaniel, and Kim Yi Dionne - September 25, 2014 President Obama announced last week an expanded U.S. response to
Understanding rainy seasons, malnutrition, & community health in Sierra Leone Richard Mallett - September 16, 2014 [caption id="attachment_15452" align="aligncenter" width="620"] A woman sells peanuts in Freetown,
Understanding rainy seasons, malnutrition, & community health in Sierra Leone Richard Mallett - September 16, 2014 [caption id="attachment_15452" align="aligncenter" width="620"] A woman sells peanuts in Freetown,
Pundits panicking about Ebola hurt cause they mean to help Kim Yi Dionne and Adia Benton - September 1, 2014 [caption id="attachment_15071" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Laurie Garrett, former journalist and current
Fighting Ebola, Liberia's 'Invisible Rebel' Leah Breen - August 29, 2014 [caption id="attachment_15012" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Women pray for an end of
Fighting Ebola, Liberia’s ‘Invisible Rebel’ Leah Breen - August 29, 2014 [caption id="attachment_15012" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Women pray for an end of
Ebola experimental treatment only for the exceptional Kim Yi Dionne - August 10, 2014 [caption id="attachment_14248" align="alignnone" width="620"] Kentucky Bioprocessing in Owensboro, Ky, has
Ebola, research ethics, and the ZMapp serum Laura Seay - August 6, 2014 [caption id="attachment_14141" align="aligncenter" width="620"] A Nigerian health official displays a
What ordinary Africans might want prioritized during U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Kim Yi Dionne - August 4, 2014 [caption id="attachment_13977" align="aligncenter" width="654"] President Obama participates in a joint
Why West African governments are struggling in response to Ebola Kim Yi Dionne - July 15, 2014 [caption id="attachment_12934" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Health workers take blood samples for
Can ISIS overcome the insurgency resource curse? Ariel Ahram - July 2, 2014 [caption id="attachment_12548" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A file picture dated March 11,
What prompts violence against refugees? Kwamena Onoma - July 1, 2014 [caption id="attachment_12420" align="aligncenter" width="640"] The small towns of Kentzou, Garoua-Boulai
Harvey Milk's legacy Andrew Reynolds - May 21, 2014 [caption id="attachment_10712" align="aligncenter" width="556"] Zakhele Mbhele, right, before his swearing-in
Harvey Milk’s legacy Andrew Reynolds - May 21, 2014 [caption id="attachment_10712" align="aligncenter" width="556"] Zakhele Mbhele, right, before his swearing-in
Five things you probably didn’t know about African politics today Kim Yi Dionne - March 11, 2014 Though much of the media attention on Africa highlights conflict,
Request for Election Reports Authors Joshua Tucker - September 4, 2012 Some exciting news regarding our Election Reports series: we have
West Coast Experiments Conference May 11, 2012 Joshua Tucker - March 15, 2012 The organizers of the West Coast Experiments Conference send along
Ethical Challenges of Embedded Experimentation Joshua Tucker - October 26, 2011 Continuing our series of articles from the American Political Science
Libya as a Model Erik Voeten - August 26, 2011 Perceived military successes almost inevitably invite declarations that a new
Why aren’t there IRB’s for the development industry? James Fearon - May 26, 2011 I recently attended a talk by Ted Miguel presenting results
Civil War and Mission Creep in Libya Erik Voeten - April 8, 2011 Below is another guest post from "James Fearon":http://www.stanford.edu/~jfearon/. Jim wrote
Comparativists with policy chops Henry Farrell - April 16, 2009 Chris Blattman "has one":http://chrisblattman.blogspot.com/2009/04/best-civil-war-study-youve-never-read.html. bq. Today I'm teaching, among other