When Soldiers Rebel: Ethnic Armies and Political Instability in Africa

When Soldiers Rebel examines the causes of military coups in post-independence Africa and the relationship between ethnic armies and political instability. Kristen A. Harkness argues that the processes of creating and dismantling ethnically exclusionary state institutions engenders organized and violent political resistance.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 281 pages
Publication date: 10 March 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Military coups are a persistent threat in Africa, with many former military leaders now in control of civilian states. Despite this, the military remains understudied, particularly over the past decade. In her book, "When Soldiers Rebel," Kristen A. Harkness delves into the causes of military coups in post-independence Africa and explores the relationship between ethnic armies and political instability in the region. Harkness conducts extensive archival research, cross-national data analysis, and four in-depth comparative case studies to shed light on this understudied topic.

Drawing on her findings, Harkness argues that the processes of creating and dismantling ethnically exclusionary state institutions engender organized and violent political resistance. She focuses on rebellions that aim to protect rather than change the status quo, shedding light on a mechanism of ethnic violence that helps us understand the motivations and timing of rebellion, as well as the rarity of group rebellion in the face of persistent political and economic inequalities along ethnic lines.

Harkness' book provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of military coups, ethnic armies, and political instability in Africa. It challenges traditional narratives and offers a more nuanced understanding of the factors that contribute to these phenomena. By examining the experiences of four countries—Burundi, Kenya, Nigeria, and Sudan—Harkness demonstrates how military coups can be triggered by a combination of economic, political, and social factors, including ethnic tensions and power struggles.

The book also highlights the role of ethnic armies in perpetuating political instability. Harkness argues that ethnic armies can be both a source of power and a catalyst for conflict, as they can be used to protect the interests of specific ethnic groups or to challenge the authority of the state. However, the presence of ethnic armies can also contribute to the breakdown of social cohesion and the perpetuation of violence, as they can be used to target other ethnic groups or to consolidate power within specific communities.

Harkness' book is a valuable contribution to the study of military coups, ethnic conflict, and political instability in Africa. It provides a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of these complex phenomena and offers practical insights into the challenges faced by policymakers and practitioners working in the region. By examining the relationship between ethnic armies and political instability, Harkness sheds light on a mechanism of ethnic violence that helps us understand both the motivations and timing of rebellion, as well as the rarity of group rebellion in the face of persistent political and economic inequalities along ethnic lines.

In conclusion, "When Soldiers Rebel" is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of military coups, ethnic conflict, and political instability in Africa. Harkness' book provides a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of these complex phenomena and offers practical insights into the challenges faced by policymakers and practitioners working in the region. By examining the relationship between ethnic armies and political instability, Harkness sheds light on a mechanism of ethnic violence that helps us understand both the motivations and timing of rebellion, as well as the rarity of group rebellion in the face of persistent political and economic inequalities along ethnic lines.

Weight: 420g
Dimension: 331 x 229 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108435338
Edition number: New ed