Island Microstates and Political Contention: An Exploratory Analysis of Cape Verde and Comoros

Author: Rich, Timothy S.¹

Source: African and Asian Studies, Volume 7, Numbers 2-3, 2008 , pp. 217-233(17)

Publisher: BRILL

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Abstract:

Microstates, and especially island microstates, are routinely absent in cross-national studies of political contention, despite several structural conditions that seem to make anti-state action more likely in these countries. Through a structured comparative analysis of two African island microstates, Cape Verde and Comoros, this paper intends to uncover correlations between structural and institutional conditions and levels of political contention. While several structural factors may make contention more probable in island microstates, this analysis suggests that four variables - international aid, representative institutions, emigration opportunities, and political stability are correlated with levels of contention.

Keywords: MICROSTATES; CONTENTION; EMIGRATION; CAPE VERDE; COMOROS

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1163/156921008X318745

Affiliations: 1: Political Science Department, 329 Woodburn Hall, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA

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