The Neighbour With The Machete: An explaining view at the violence in Kenya following the General Elections on Dec. 27, 2007 from the perspective of four different theoretical models

Master's Thesis , 2008 , 88 Pages , Grade: A

Politics - Region: Africa

The Thesis has the aim to find out the reasons that stand behind the
post-election violence in Kenya. After incumbent Mwai Kibaki was
declared President over his competitor Raila Odinga on December
30, 2007, Kenya fell into two month of heavy bloodshed. The
cleavages where along tribal lines but different theories could
explain the happenings.
The four theories chosen are dealing with a Security
Dilemma, Resource Contesting, Corruptive Elites and Symbolic
Policy. It will be shown that dilemma or primordial hatred are
existing and contributing but not actual reasons to the initial
violence. In contrast, the contest over resources and the incitement
of politicians and elders are primary factors that led to the
thousands of death and hundreds of thousands of displaced people.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• I. Introduction
• II. Methodology
• 1. Relevance of the Case and Level of Current Research.
• 2. Research Question
• 3. Methodology and Material
• 4. Structure of the Thesis...
• III. Background.
• 1. General
• 2. Ethnicity in Kenya..
• 3. A Short History of Kenya
• 4. The Political System Until 2007.
• 5. The Cost of Losing
• 6. Politicized Ethnicity
• 7. The Question of Land
• 8. The Idea of Majimbo....
• 9. The Mungiki...........
• 10. The General Election 2007 and the Violence
• IV. Theoretical Part
• 1. The Concept of Ethnicity
• 2. General
• 3. Security Dilemma
• 4. Resource Contesting
• 5. Corruptive Elites.
• 6. Symbolic Policy
• V. Empirical Part
• 1. Checking the Security Dilemma
• 1.1 Mutual Judgement
• 1.2 Fear and Preparation.
• 1.3 State of Anarchy in Kenya.
• 1.4 Model of Dilemma
• 1.5 Role of International Mediation
• 1.6 Pre-Conclusion.
• 2. Proving a Resource Contest
• 2.1 Politics as a Zero-Sum-Game?
• 2.2 Conceptions Other Than Ethnicity.
• 2.3 Role of Ethnicity in Fighting for Goods
• 2.4 Reasons for Economic Cleavages
• 2.5 What the Individual Gains …………………………………….
• 2.6 Pre-Conclusion...
• 3. Looking for Corruptive Elites.
• 3.1 System of the Agency.
• 3.2 What Elites Want………………………………………………
• 3.3 What the People Do
• 3.4 Interaction Between Elites and People..
• 3.5 Competition Among and Within Elites.
• 3.6 The Question of Constituency.
• 3.7 Actors of the Violence
• 3.8 Pre-Conclusion....
• 4. Finding a Symbolic Policy
• 4.1 Primordial Hate?
• 4.2 The Use of Ethnicity
• 4.3 Reasons for the Actors
• 4.4 Pre-Conclusion.

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This thesis aims to analyze the post-election violence in Kenya following the 2007 General Election. By examining the situation from the perspective of four different theoretical models - Security Dilemma, Resource Contesting, Corruptive Elites, and Symbolic Policy - the study seeks to understand the underlying causes of the violence and contribute to finding lasting solutions.
• The role of ethnicity and its politicization in Kenya
• The impact of resource competition and its connection to violence
• The influence of corrupt elites and their actions in fueling conflict
• The power of symbolic policy and its manipulation in inciting violence
• The application of these theoretical models in the context of the Kenyan situation

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• I. Introduction: This chapter introduces the case of post-election violence in Kenya following the 2007 elections. It outlines the context of the violence, providing background information about the elections and the resulting unrest. It also highlights the significance of understanding the underlying causes of the violence for finding lasting solutions.
• II. Methodology: This chapter outlines the research methodology used in the study. It explains the relevance of the case and the existing research on the topic, as well as the specific research question addressed in the thesis. The methodology and materials used are described, including the structure of the thesis itself.
• III. Background: This chapter provides a comprehensive background on the historical and socio-political context of Kenya. It explores the role of ethnicity, political systems, land ownership, and the emergence of groups like the Mungiki in contributing to the situation leading up to the 2007 elections.
• IV. Theoretical Part: This chapter introduces the theoretical framework used to analyze the Kenyan case. It delves into the concept of ethnicity and the theoretical models that will be applied: Security Dilemma, Resource Contesting, Corruptive Elites, and Symbolic Policy.
• V. Empirical Part: This section delves into the empirical analysis of the Kenyan case study. It examines each theoretical model in detail, applying it to the events surrounding the 2007 elections. The chapter analyzes the evidence and explores how the different theories contribute to understanding the causes of violence.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This thesis focuses on the post-election violence in Kenya, exploring the role of ethnicity, resource competition, corrupt elites, and symbolic policy in fueling the conflict. The research analyzes the case study through various theoretical models and aims to contribute to understanding the complex dynamics leading to the violence. Key terms include: post-election violence, Kenya, ethnicity, resource competition, corrupt elites, symbolic policy, security dilemma, political science, theoretical models.

• Course: Master Program in European Political Sociology
• Grade: A
• Author: Georg Kössler (Author)
• Publication Year: 2008
• Pages: 88
• Catalog Number: V112578
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640108541
• ISBN (Book): 9783640110063
• Language: English
• Tags: Neighbour, With, Machete, Kenya, General, Elections, Master, Program, European, Political, Sociology