Does the African Middle Class Defend Democracy?: Evidence from Kenya

Nic Cheeseman

No wp-2014-096, WIDER Working Paper Series from World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER)

Abstract: Barrington Moore's famous line 'no bourgeoisie, no democracy' is one of the most quoted claims in political science. But has the rise of the African middle class promoted democratic consolidation? This paper uses the case of Kenya to investigate the attitudes and behaviours of the middle class. Analysis of Afrobarometer survey data reveals that the middle class is more likely to support the opposition and hold pro-democratic attitudes.

Keywords: Policy; sciences (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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