Youth and Politics Flashcards
Introduction
63% under 25- and 18-34-year olds see 80% unemployment
Although GDP has been rising 72% live on less than $2 a day
The reputation of the youth often has a violent nature
But we know that around the world, it’s important to have young people participating in democratic political life so they can help improve society.
Rise of the middle class is a new wake of optimism about continents future.
Globalisation and connectivity are helping reshape youth mobility and their identity.
Demographic
As mortality rates are decreased fertility rates haven’t slowed down and there has been a population momentum resulting in too many young people.
WB gender population graphs indicate that the less developed a country the higher the youth population.
In future more to look after the elder and more to keep the country running. These individuals will drive Africa’s rising narrative.
Violent groups
Vigilantes – a member or organisation acting in authority without legal capacity (impose alternative moral orders)
Militias – army or fighting organisation of non-professional soldiers (old and new forms of belonging)
Gangs – a groups with defined leadership and internal organisation wishing to take control of a territory (shaped by masculinity and respectability)
Violence and unemployment
- Clear link between violence and unemployment, to prevent this there needs to be an increase in employment to reduce threat of conflict.
Much of the employment in Africa is not seen as it has world’s largest informal sector.
Informal sector is work which has fallen out of legal structures of the state for example, food and barber (not in remits of tax).
Informal larger than formal and is criticised for Africa’s rising narrative.
Inst taxed, temporary/fragile
Young men will often turn to violence to gain influence or just to survive.
Disempowered youth symbolise the shame in not having fully functional state.
Case Study: Kenya
Africa’s jobless growth has disproportionate effects on the youth especially Kenya.
2007 post- election violence where youth problem was prominent position.
Youth being excluded from society, turning to crime and civil unrest.
Catalyst (welfare company) seeks to repurpose the youth by getting them to use their resourcefulness to sell-life improving products in slum communities.
Teaches them entrepreneurial spirit, forces them to take risks, think of demand for certain groups.
Develops new norms for the youth where it didn’t produce as much money as hoped and often still a struggle to break out of poverty.
But some say it can provide a modest income and boost social recognition.
Disconnection
Rule of old men, age of African rulers is 69-79 while average African age is 19.5.
There is a disconnection between the goals of leaders and majority of population.
Underpinned by partichal social hierarchy which undermines trust.
Case study: Nigeria – Not too young to run bill
reduced the age requirement to run for electoral seats in executive and legislative branches of government.
The development reflects the frustration of young people feeling they are disconnected and excluded from political process.
Rejection of old political elites who have failed to provide robust polices to issues that affect them such as illiteracy, poverty and unemployment.
The bill is important step to improve quality of representation and governance in politics.
Exclusion of leadership
High cost of participation and difficulty entering established old boy patronage networks as well as ethnic identities.
Needs to be non-elective positions in government where youth can be employed who lack social connections and capital to gain power but still contribute to enhancing society.
The perception that African civil service jobs are inefficient and highly bureaucratic turns people away from public service roles.
Important that youth are represented in all branches of governance and that youth perspectives are being considered.
Case Study: Nigerian Political Vanguards
Many youths are responsible for promoting democracy, human rights and challenging the old order.
BRINGBACKOURGIRLS – kidnapping in Nigeria
Had specific aim to get government to pressure Boko Haram as well as safely bringing victims home.
The proposed one-day march in 2014 has now entered its 4th year to extend its concern for good governance, provision of safety and security, health, infrastructure and better economy.
Group has refused international funding as could be seen as partisan but do solicit international news makers such as Michelle Obama to openly identify with case.
Conclusion
While the youth are seen to be a cause of conflict within Africa, there are underlying reasons such as unemployment and a lack of political representation which fuels anger and crime.
If the youth are able to gain a foothold within the civil service, then this can create better representation.
It is not all negative as youth have driven change by being part of increasing civic movements for instance in Nigeria, helping to highlight further issues in government.
