The Politics of Everyday Crime in Africa

This book offers distinct insights into the sources of state legitimacy in Africa by incorporating an analysis of non-state actors' role in service delivery. The author examines how citizens' reliance on non-governmental security actors such as street committees, neighborhood watches and community police forums, shape their attitudes toward the state and their political participation. Broadly, this project contributes to our understanding of citizens' everyday experiences of crime and violence at the local level, and why they matter, politically.

Offers distinct insights into the sources of state legitimacy in Africa Contributes to reader's understanding of citizens' everyday experiences of crime and violence Useful addition to existing work that mostly focuses on the impact of political violence taking place at the national level

Autorentext
Danielle C. Kushner is Assistant Professor of Political Science at St. Mary's College of Maryland, USA. She specializes in Comparative and African Politics.

Inhalt

1. Introduction.- 2. Non-State Security in South Africa: Historical Roots, Contemporary Realities.- 3. The Impact of Non-State Security on Perceptions of State Legitimacy in South Africa.- 4. Assessing the Impact of Non-State Security, Victimization and Insecurity on Social Capital and Collective Action in South Africa.- 5. The Impact of Everyday Crime and Security on Protest Behavior in South Africa.- 6. Explaining the Impact of Non-State Security, Victimization and Insecurity on Voting in South Africa.- 7. Conclusion.