Social Science and Public Policy
Zigzag Politics: Tea, Ballots, and Agency in Niger
April 26, 2019 at 12:30pm – 2:00pm EDT
Eggers Hall, 341
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A Talk by Adeline Masquelier, Professor, Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, Denmark, Department of Anthropology, Tulane University
In Niger, the fadas or tea-circles where young unemployed young men meet for tea, conversation, and friendship is also where they become initiated into the world of politics. Fadas are spaces of political debates that played an important role in the advent of democracy in the 1990s. Given Niger’s large youth population, fadas have become obligatory campaign stops for political candidates hoping to marshal youth support in elections. Campaigning politicians visit fadas and distribute gifts to secure young men’s political allegiance. Yet young men now see politics primarily as a business, the success of which hinges on securing wealthy patrons and accessing resources. This talk will explore how young men engage in “zigzag politics” in an age of chronic uncertainty. Rather than remaining faithful to a political party, young men shift allegiances whenever opportunities arise, mindful that the political landscape is shifty and unpredictable.
This event was first published on April 16, 2019 and last updated on April 24, 2019.
Event Details
- Category
- Social Science and Public Policy
- Type
- Discussions
- Open to
- Campus Community
- Organizer
- Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs
- Contact
- Havva Karakas-Keles
hkarakas@syr.edu
315.443.9931
- Accessibility
- Contact Havva Karakas-Keles to request accommodations