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The Geography of Repression in Africa

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  • Darin Christensen

Abstract

I ask how the location of a protest affects how forcefully governments crack down. This geography of repression provides insight into a larger strategic problem: under what conditions do leaders meet protests with violence? I argue that protests in rural areas pose a smaller threat and, thus, prompt less frequent intervention. However, when governments decide to repress rural protests, they are less concerned that lethal repression might incite a backlash, as there are fewer bystanders in more rural areas that can join the fray. I uncover two patterns consistent with this theory: (1) repression is 30 percent more frequent in response to social conflicts in urban areas; but (2), if the state does employ repression, it is 75 percent more likely to kill dissidents in rural areas. The empirical relationships I report cannot be explained by reporting bias, international sanctioning, proximity to past armed conflicts, or the presence of natural resources.

Suggested Citation

  • Darin Christensen, 2018. "The Geography of Repression in Africa," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 62(7), pages 1517-1543, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jocore:v:62:y:2018:i:7:p:1517-1543
    DOI: 10.1177/0022002716686829
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Darin Christensen, 2016. "Concession Stands: How Foreign Investment Incites Protest in Africa," Empirical Studies of Conflict Project (ESOC) Working Papers 6, Empirical Studies of Conflict Project.
    2. Mark Lichbach, 1984. "An economic theory of governability: Choosing policy and optimizing performance," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 44(2), pages 307-337, January.
    3. Cullen S. Hendrix & Idean Salehyan, 2015. "No News Is Good News: Mark and Recapture for Event Data When Reporting Probabilities Are Less Than One," International Interactions, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 41(2), pages 392-406, March.
    4. Hafner-Burton, Emilie M., 2005. "Trading Human Rights: How Preferential Trade Agreements Influence Government Repression," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 59(3), pages 593-629, July.
    5. Joshua D. Angrist & Jörn-Steffen Pischke, 2014. "Mastering ’Metrics: The Path from Cause to Effect," Economics Books, Princeton University Press, edition 1, number 10363.
    6. Barbara F. Walter, 2006. "Building Reputation: Why Governments Fight Some Separatists but Not Others," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 50(2), pages 313-330, April.
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