Description:

Rachel Riedl, Political Science, will introduce the topic of "Politics and Violence in Contemporary Africa."

Richard Joseph, Political Science, will present on "Dysfunctional Democracy: Corruption, Jihadism, and Social Distress in Nigeria."

See recent commentary and interview for additional information: https://africaplus.wordpress.com/2016/04/18/crime-jihad-and-dysfunction-in-nigeria-has-buhari-an-answer/

The political topography of Africa is rapidly evolving. In past decades, changes reflected the emergence of competitive politics. Today, jihadist groups take advantage of under-governed areas and social discontent. Climate change is accelerating migration and group conflict. Failures of governments to provide basic public services, and the slow economic progress, deepen distress. Popular responses vary from democratic upheavals in Burkina Faso and Nigeria to mass exodus to the Mediterranean. External powers respond with special forces and drone bases while bolstering regimes able to project military force. There is an urgent need to map, study, and explain these processes.

This colloquium is one of several meetings that have taken place over the past two years at Northwestern. Intensive discussions on these topics also occurred at the new Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy in Nigeria. Conferences are planned in Paris on May 26 and in Evanston on October 27-29.