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Archive for February, 2012

Assessing the Ban on “Conflict Minerals” from the DRC

A new report published by the Center for Global Development argues that a new American law designed to prevent mining profits from fueling violence in the Democratic Republic Congo has instead contributed insecurity in key regions and hurt local economies. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act contains novel provisions aimed at increasing [...]

February 2, 2012 · admin · 2 Comments
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• FEATURED RESEARCH: “Questioning Tocqueville in Africa”

  "Questioning Tocqueville in Africa: Continuity and Change in Civil society During Nigeria’s Democratization"

  Alexis de Tocqueville's influence on the democratization literature has encouraged the idea that transitions require an independent civil society. However this view reifies boundaries between state and society, and it over-predicts civil society confrontation with governments. Drawing upon Hegel, I develop a model that clusters organizations according to goal orientation and autonomy. I then examine civil society during Nigeria’s democratization. I attribute changes in autonomy and goal orientation of organizations to transnational organizing, coalition building, and repression. My findings question the assumption that autonomous organizations will challenge the state.

  (This article appears in the February 2011 issue of Democratization, vol. 18, no. 1)