Political Dynamics in Benin,

Abstract

Ethnic and regional differences have been little in evidence in Benin since Kerekou's takeover in 1972. This is mainly because under the present regime there is no open political competition (elections) in which regional leaders mobilize sections of populations against the prospective or actual domination by a leader from another region. The roots of such negative attitudes towards other regions reach back in time to the slave trade, to ensuing regional wars, and to colonial times. There are no such historical memories towards either the military or the Marxist ideology. A return to civilian rule and open democratic competition would assure the reemergence of ethnic hostilities unless all candidates for the Presidency could be seen by the population as ethnically neutral. Such an eventuality is unlikely if the electoral competition is genuinely open.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1984
Accession Number
ADA143026

Entities

People

  • D. Ronen

Organizations

  • foreign affairs ministry

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Civil War
  • Communism
  • Doctrine
  • Education
  • Ethnic Groups
  • Foreign Aid
  • Governments
  • International Organizations
  • Labor Unions
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Political Ideologies
  • Political Parties
  • Political Systems
  • Socialism
  • Students
  • Ussr

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • International Relations and Conflict Resolution
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Strategic Security Studies