Culture, Politics and Inequality

This theme group aims to examine the political, economic and socio-cultural dynamics that generate new formations of political power and of communal, ethnic, occupational or political identities across Africa in the light of long-term historical, economic and social background factors.

The term ‘formation’ points to the dynamic and processual aspects involved, including human agency. In this respect, it is of continuing importance to examine informal aspects of economic power and political governance in Africa, as well as the contexts of globalization in both the politico-economic and cultural sense, as these impinge upon the very ideas of nation, state, society and social order.

Conceptually and theoretically, the terms for the study of politics, conflict and national, ethnic, occupational and other social identities have to be rethought and redefined. The emergent new frameworks of local economy, society and identity in Africa will be studied at the level of national elites, urban society and rural life.

Head

Prof. Dr J. Abbink

Members

• G.J. Abbink
• J.W.M. van Dijk
• S.D.K. Ellis
• W.M.J. van Kessel
• P.J.J. Konings
• B.F. Soares
• K. van Walraven

Associate members

• A. Alemu
• A. Berhe
• F. Krijtenburg
• M. Mohogu
• I. Ruigrok
• B. Tasew