Description |
1 online resource (xii, 344 pages) : illustrations, maps |
Series |
Cambridge studies in comparative politics |
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Cambridge studies in comparative politics.
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Contents |
Introduction -- Urban politics in a trap -- Urban Ghana in context -- The middle class and programmatic politics -- Class and preferences -- Credibility, patronage, and participation -- Neighborhoods and ethnic competition -- Ethnic competition across neighborhoods -- Distributive politics in urban areas -- Neighborhood context, expectations of favoritism, and voting -- Implications for urban governance -- Turnout inequality and capture in municipal elelctions -- Paths out of the trap? |
Summary |
Two aspects of contemporary urban life in Africa are often described as sources of political change: the emergence of a large urban middle class and high levels of ethnic diversity and inter-ethnic social contact. Many expected that these factors would help spark a transition away from ethnic competition and clientelism toward more programmatic elections. Focusing on urban Ghana, this book shows that the growing middle class and high levels of ethnic diversity are not having the anticipated political effects. Instead, urban Ghana is stuck in a trap: clientelism and ethnic voting persist in many urban neighborhoods despite changes to the socio-economic characteristics and policy preferences of voters. Through a unique examination of intra-urban variation in patterns of electoral competition, Nathan explains why this trap exists, demonstrates its effects on political behavior, and explores how new democracies like Ghana can move past it--Provided by publisher |
Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index |
Notes |
Print version record |
Subject |
Urbanization -- Political aspects -- Ghana
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Identity politics -- Ghana
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Metropolitan government -- Ghana
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Political participation -- Ghana
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POLITICAL SCIENCE -- Essays.
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POLITICAL SCIENCE -- Government -- General.
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POLITICAL SCIENCE -- Government -- National.
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POLITICAL SCIENCE -- Reference.
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Identity politics
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Metropolitan government
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Political participation
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Politics and government
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Urbanization -- Political aspects
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SUBJECT |
Ghana -- Politics and government -- 2001- http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2003011673
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Subject |
Ghana
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Form |
Electronic book
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ISBN |
9781108693646 |
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1108693644 |
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