The Politics of Everyday Crime in Africa : Insecurity, Victimization and Non-­State Security Providers

This book offers distinct insights into the sources of state legitimacy in Africa by incorporating an analysis of non-state actors' role in service delivery. The author examines how citizens' reliance on non-governmental security actors such as street committees, neighborhood watches and community police forums, shape their attitudes toward the state and their political participation. Broadly, this project contributes to our understanding of citizens' everyday experiences of crime and violence at the local level, and why they matter, politically. Danielle C. Kushner is Assistant Professor of Political Science at St. Mary's College of Maryland, USA. She specializes in Comparative and African Politics. Front Matter ....Pages i-xix Introduction (Danielle C. Kushner)....Pages 1-19 Non-state Security in South Africa: Historical Roots, Contemporary Realities (Danielle C. Kushner)....Pages 21-53 The Impact of Non-state Security on Perceptions of State Legitimacy in South Africa (Danielle C. Kushner)....Pages 55-72 Assessing the Impact of Non-state Security, Victimization, and Insecurity on Social Capital and Collective Action in South Africa (Danielle C. Kushner)....Pages 73-90 The Impact of Everyday Crime and Security on Protest Behavior in South Africa (Danielle C. Kushner)....Pages 91-103 Explaining the Impact of Non-state Security, Victimization, and Insecurity on Voting in South Africa (Danielle C. Kushner)....Pages 105-115 Conclusion (Danielle C. Kushner)....Pages 117-127 Back Matter ....Pages 129-148