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.
It’s been a great nine years for TMC political science analysis Kim Yi Dionne, John Sides, and Henry Farrell - December 31, 2022 We’ve published thousands of articles. Here are some of our editors’ favorites.
Here’s what persuades Americans to support democracy over party Robb Willer and Jan Voelkel - September 12, 2022 Our new study tested 25 different approaches with both Republicans and Democrats. Here are three that made a difference.
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
Africa has had eight coup attempts in recent months. What’s behind the ‘coup epidemic’? Kristen A. Harkness - February 8, 2022 How leaders consolidate their power helps explain why soldiers depose governments.
Archbishop Tutu’s radical commitment to humanity led him to criticize parties, people and institutions Carolyn E. Holmes - December 27, 2021 The beloved anti-apartheid activist demanded that the African National Congress also meet the standards of ‘ubuntu’
Are coups really contagious? Salah Ben Hammou and Jonathan Powell - November 21, 2021 The international reaction to a coup attempt may matter more than you think
Why are Africans dissatisfied with democracy? Think corruption. Robert Mattes and Christiaan Keulder - November 18, 2021 The fifth in Afrobarometer’s special democracy summit series on Africa
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.
Do Africans want democracy — and do they think they’re getting it? Joseph Asunka and E. Gyimah-Boadi - October 21, 2021 The first in Afrobarometer’s special African democracy summit series.
Taliban leaders are back in charge in Afghanistan. Can they control their own army? Jean Lachapelle, Dan Slater, and Adam E. Casey - August 26, 2021 What we know from other victorious rebellions
African citizens support their governments’ pandemic responses — mostly. They’re not sure about the vaccines. Josephine Appiah-Nyamekye Sanny - August 26, 2021 The latest Afrobarometer surveys could help government messaging on fighting the delta variant
Africa has started vaccinating against the coronavirus. But do citizens trust their governments on vaccine safety? Aminatou Seydou - March 11, 2021 New Afrobarometer surveys help explain vaccine reluctance in five West African countries
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.
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
In dozens of countries, governments rely on Internet shutdowns to hide repression Sophie Dyer, Likhita Banerji, and Anita R. Gohdes - December 3, 2020 Social media rhetoric from politicians, citizens and others helped influence political moves
Presidents who threaten election violence lose votes Stephanie Burchard - November 2, 2020 What can research on Africa tell us about the U.S.?
The massive protests in Nigeria, explained Tarila Ebiede - October 25, 2020 What is the SARS unit, and why do Nigerians want to #EndSARS?
Autocratic governments are using coronavirus as a pretext to clamp down on opponents Travis Curtice, Mel Pavlik, Hilary Matfess, and Don Grasse - July 30, 2020 Here’s what we found in Uganda and Zimbabwe.
Covid-19 is accelerating multilateralism in Africa Mary Treacy and Landry Signé - July 26, 2020 The African Union helped spearhead a coordinated response to the pandemic.
Four ways Donald Trump is already manipulating the U.S. elections Spencer Piston and Nic Cheeseman - June 15, 2020 Biden said Trump will try to steal the election. That’s already underway.
Epidemics reveal underlying societal tensions. That was the case in Zimbabwe’s cholera outbreak, too. Emmanuel Balogun - June 12, 2020 “The Political Life of an Epidemic” is a particularly timely read.
Coronavirus restrictions on movement may jeopardize the lives of the most vulnerable Lorenzo Piccoli - April 5, 2020 Government decisions involve trade-offs and new challenges
The World Bank’s 2017 pandemic response fund isn’t working Mara Pillinger - March 31, 2020 Private sector solutions don’t always fit public sector problems
African women have less access to the Internet than African men do. That’s a problem. Dominique Dryding, Carmen Alpin Lardies, and Carolyn Logan - March 5, 2020 On International Women’s Day, let’s consider whether all women are advancing equally.
African nations are among those most vulnerable to climate change. A new survey suggests they are also the least prepared. Edem E. Selormey and Carolyn Logan - September 22, 2019 Afrobarometer surveyed more than 45,000 people in 34 countries.
African dictators have been losing power — some to democratic governments. Militaries can tip the scales toward democracy. Nathaniel Allen and Alexander Noyes - September 15, 2019 These five factors make the difference between militaries that support autocracy and those that allow free elections.
What’s behind South Africa’s xenophobic violence in 2019? Carolyn Holmes - September 9, 2019 Violence against immigrants has sparked a diplomatic crisis
Robert Mugabe has died. But Zimbabwe’s institutional legacies that shaped his repressive regime live on. Vasabjit Banerjee - September 8, 2019 The stakes are high for President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who promised to reboot the economy
‘Digital Democracy’ delivers a powerful read on politics and social media in Africa Kim Yi Dionne - July 19, 2019 The Internet makes it possible for citizens to react to unfolding events in real time.
To end mass protests, Sudan has cut off Internet access nationwide. Here’s why. Steven Feldstein - June 13, 2019 It’s a very costly strategy.
How Huawei could survive Trump Jordan Link - June 9, 2019 In Africa, basic connectivity needs and lower prices may outweigh security concerns.
Why are Kenyans protesting their government? Ken Opalo - May 13, 2019 Popular support for the Kenyatta government has eroded. Here’s why.
How will the African Union respond to the military overthrow in Sudan? Emmanuel Balogun and Anna Mwaba - April 24, 2019 It has not responded consistently to unconstitutional changes in government.
Sudan’s upheaval is the latest example of a ‘gray-zone coup’ Nandita Balakrishnan - April 17, 2019 Autocrats learned “coup-proofing” — and militaries learned negotiating.
Sudan ousted two autocrats in three days. Here’s what’s next. Mai Hassan and Ahmed Kodouda - April 15, 2019 Protesters want a civilian transition government. That hasn’t happened.
Why does Malawi have 1,331 candidates running for 193 seats in parliament? Michael Wahman and Merete Bech Seeberg - March 10, 2019 To fix democracies, you have to pay attention to the primaries’ integrity, too.
4 in 10 Africans are deeply committed to democracy. That’s the good news. Robert Mattes - March 5, 2019 Afrobarometer finds that the level of commitment varies dramatically by country. Here’s the breakdown.
Hungary’s democracy just got a failing grade Daniel Kelemen - February 7, 2019 This week, the Washington-based think tank Freedom House published its
What’s behind the wave of protests in Africa? Moletsane Monyake and Dan Hough - January 31, 2019 [caption id="attachment_83273" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Zimbabweans protest over fuel price increases,
Why are so many African leaders shutting off the Internet in 2019? Chipo Dendere - January 30, 2019 [caption id="attachment_83225" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Protesters gather near a burning tire
Do international observers go easy on African elections? Susan Dodsworth - November 20, 2018 [caption id="attachment_78810" align="aligncenter" width="960"] An electoral official counts ballots at
It’s been one year since Zimbabwe toppled Mugabe. Why isn’t it a democracy yet? Mwita Chacha and Jonathan Powell - November 17, 2018 [caption id="attachment_80093" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa addresses 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
What do shifting grass-roots dynamics tell us about the Zimbabwe election? Kathleen Klaus, Jeffrey Paller, and George Bob-Milliar - August 30, 2018 [caption id="attachment_77245" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A soldier looks at a portrait
Even after Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s elections do not appear free or fair Vasabjit Banerjee - August 22, 2018 [caption id="attachment_76955" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Opposition supporters burn posters of Zimbabwean
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
Zimbabwe won’t be voting for Robert Mugabe today. That’s a big change. Chipo Dendere - July 30, 2018 [caption id="attachment_76165" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Zimbabwean voters line up before dawn
Zimbabwe has an election coming up. Is political violence brewing? Chipo Dendere - July 2, 2018 [caption id="attachment_75223" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Injured people are attended to after
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
What ‘Black Panther’s’ Wakanda can teach us about Africa’s history — and its future Naunihal Singh - February 28, 2018 [caption id="attachment_69877" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Chadwick Boseman in “Black Panther.” (Marvel
Could a power-sharing arrangement end protests in Togo? It’s complicated. Alexander Noyes - February 24, 2018 [caption id="attachment_69701" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A woman holds a sign that reads, “Faure!
Zimbabwe’s opposition leader died. Here’s what you need to know. Chipo Dendere - February 19, 2018 [caption id="attachment_69374" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Morgan Tsvangirai addresses a crowd on
What the ‘s—hole’ debate gets wrong about Africa Christopher Day and Beth Whitake - January 18, 2018 [caption id="attachment_68183" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President Trump and Sen. Dick Durbin,
After Mugabe, can ZANU-PF still rule Zimbabwe? Adrienne LeBas - December 14, 2017 [caption id="attachment_67297" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Zimbabwe's new president Emmerson Mnangagwa receives
New survey report raises alarms for freedom of speech in Malawi as protests loom Kim Yi Dionne - December 8, 2017 [caption id="attachment_67093" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Bike taxi operators wait for work
Offering pensions can help autocrats stay in power longer Magnus Rasmussen and Carl Knutsen - December 4, 2017 [caption id="attachment_66851" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, shakes
It’s World AIDS Day. Who actually needs more AIDS awareness? Kim Yi Dionne - December 1, 2017 [caption id="attachment_66813" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Angolan community members at an HIV/AIDS
What went wrong for Mugabe? Most aging dictators don’t get toppled by coups. Erica Frantz and Andrea Kendall-Taylor - November 22, 2017 [caption id="attachment_66568" align="aligncenter" width="960"] People gather outside Harare's airport to
Mugabe is what happens when an authoritarian regime abides by its constitution Chipo Dendere - November 22, 2017 Last week, Zimbabwe’s military took control of the government, it
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
Without Mugabe, is democracy coming to Zimbabwe? Probably not. Kristen Harkness - November 22, 2017 On Tuesday, after 37 years of authoritarian rule, Robert Mugabe
Elephants are in danger. Our research could help save them. Leo Carter and Joshua Busby - November 18, 2017 Editor's note: On Friday, President Trump tweeted: "Put big game
Is Zimbabwe ready to move on without Mugabe? Naunihal Singh - November 18, 2017 [caption id="attachment_66431" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe sits for
To understand the coup in Zimbabwe, you need to know more about Grace Mugabe Chipo Dendere - November 15, 2017 In Zimbabwe, the military has taken control of the capital,
Here’s what’s happening in Zimbabwe Clionadh Raleigh - November 15, 2017 [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Zimbabwe Army General Constantino Chiwenga, right,
This chart shows the best and worst countries for women in the world today. Jeni Klugman - November 7, 2017 [caption id="attachment_65845" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Women shout slogans as they take
Zimbabwe created a new ministry to monitor social media. But most Zimbabweans don’t want government monitoring. Kim Yi Dionne and Chipo Dendere - October 20, 2017 [caption id="attachment_65161" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Pastor Evan Mawarire, a Zimbabwean activist,
Will there be a military coup in Zimbabwe? Probably not. Here’s why. Alexander Noyes - August 8, 2017 [caption id="attachment_61937" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Supporters of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe
Half of Zambians aren’t happy with their democracy — and that’s a big change Michael Bratton and Boniface Dulani - July 20, 2017 [caption id="attachment_46353" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Incumbent Edgar Lungu prepares to be
Cameroon has been in crisis for six months. Here’s what you need to know. Yonatan Morse - June 2, 2017 [caption id="attachment_59202" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Cameroon’s President Paul Biya and wife
This short video shows what Africans think of their elections Kim Yi Dionne - March 10, 2017 [caption id="attachment_55210" align="aligncenter" width="800"] (Afrobarometer via YouTube)[/caption] In a new
These 5 architectural designs influence every legislature in the world — and tell you how each governs de Lara and der Vegt - March 4, 2017 [caption id="attachment_54901" align="aligncenter" width="1110"] The five typologies of legislative buildings.
Congress could limit the Fed’s independence — and hurt the U.S. economy David Singer - February 13, 2017 [caption id="attachment_54011" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Federal Reserve Board Chair Janet L.
This is what we learned by counting the women’s marches Jeremy Pressman and Erica Chenoweth - February 7, 2017 Editors' note: This is the fifth post in our series
The U.S. was ripe for a women’s protest. And more are likely. Dursun Peksen and Amanda Murdie - January 28, 2017 This is the third post in our series on what social
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
When ailing dictators die in office, what happens next? Erica Frantz and Andrea Kendall-Taylor - December 1, 2016 [caption id="attachment_50410" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Uzbek President Islam Karimov in 2015.
Trump may put 5 military officers in top posts. That’s unprecedented. Peter White - December 1, 2016 [caption id="attachment_50354" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President-elect Donald Trump and U.S. Marine
Do Africans still want democracy? This new report gives a qualified yes. Robert Mattes and Michael Bratton - November 25, 2016 [caption id="attachment_50077" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A member of the Economic Freedom
Can your spouse help you get elected? Here’s what data from Africa say. Kim Yi Dionne - November 4, 2016 [caption id="attachment_48948" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Melania Trump shakes hands with former
What Africans think about China’s influence in their countries Kim Yi Dionne - October 28, 2016 It's mostly good.
Liberia has an important transition of power on the horizon. Here’s a preview. Kim Yi Dionne - October 21, 2016 [caption id="attachment_48262" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Two men speak on a street in Monrovia,
Malawians are missing their president. The last time that happened, the president was dead. Kim Yi Dionne - October 14, 2016 [caption id="attachment_47813" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Billboards of Malawi President Peter Mutharika
This two-minute video sums up African public opinion Kim Yi Dionne - October 7, 2016 [caption id="attachment_47470" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] (Afrobarometer via YouTube)[/caption] No, Africa is
How democratic is Botswana after 50 years of independence? Kim Yi Dionne - September 30, 2016 [caption id="attachment_47069" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Botswana's President Ian Khama sits at
A year ago, most Zimbabweans trusted Mugabe. Here’s why so many are now protesting in the streets. Kim Yi Dionne - September 23, 2016 [caption id="attachment_46731" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A father covers the face of
Is electoral violence in sub-Saharan Africa overreported? This new book looks at the data. Stephanie Burchard and Kim Yi Dionne - August 12, 2016 [caption id="attachment_45073" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Supporters of President Edgar Lungu gather
Americans have become much less confident that we count votes accurately Paul Gronke, Michael Sances, and Charles Stewart III - August 10, 2016 Donald Trump’s warning that the 2016 election is likely to be
Did protests in Zimbabwe really go from ‘tweets to streets’? Lauren Young - July 15, 2016 [caption id="attachment_43826" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Supporters of the #ThisFlag campaign demonstrate outside
Brexit isn’t all that special. Here’s why nations leave international organizations. Felicity Vabulas - July 1, 2016 [caption id="attachment_43244" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A man waves a Union Jack
The opposite of Brexit: African Union launches an all-Africa passport Anne Frugé - July 1, 2016 [caption id="attachment_38201" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Africa, from space. (NASA)[/caption] On June
Peru rejected Keiko Fujimori, but most new democracies vote authoritarian parties back into office. Here’s why. James Loxton - June 16, 2016 [caption id="attachment_42106" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Demonstrators rally against presidential candidate Keiko
36 years after Zimbabwe’s independence, the country faces these 4 big questions Brooks Marmon - April 28, 2016 [caption id="attachment_39777" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and his
Why is Africa so poor while Europe and North America are so wealthy? Andrew Gelman - April 24, 2016 A few years ago, two economics professors, Quamrul Ashraf and
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
Here are 4 reasons why Mozambique isn’t a post-war success story Corinna Jentzsch - February 2, 2016 [caption id="attachment_35175" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Newly arrived Mozambican refugees wait for
Free and fair elections attract investment, no matter who’s elected. Here’s why. Mike Touchton - January 8, 2016 [caption id="attachment_32114" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Campaign posters of opposition presidential candidate
China pledged to invest $60 billion in Africa. Here’s what that means. Winslow Robertson and Lina Benabdallah - January 7, 2016 [caption id="attachment_34200" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Chinese President Xi Jinping inspects the