| ID | 116334 |
| Title Proper | Political demography of conflict in modern Africa |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Green, Elliott |
| Publication | 2012. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | Sub-Saharan Africa has shifted from having a low population density and no population growth in the 19th century to an extremely high population growth today. I argue here that an important cause behind contemporary civil conflict has been this rapid demographic shift. Specifically, I show that low population densities in Africa historically contributed to communal land rights and the creation of large states. In the postcolonial era, however, these two variables have combined with high population growth rates, low levels of urbanization, and rural-rural migration flows to produce large amounts of 'sons of the soil' conflict over land. Evidence from contemporary civil wars in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo supports my theory. |
| `In' analytical Note | Civil Wars Vol. 14, No.4; Dec 2012: p.477-498 |
| Journal Source | Civil Wars Vol. 14, No.4; Dec 2012: p.477-498 |
| Key Words | Sub - Saharan Africa ; Low Population Density ; Africa ; Rural Migration ; Contemporary Civil Wars ; Political Demography ; Modern Africa |