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Paper short abstract:

A series of panel data regressions on Afrobarometer individual-level data (from all rounds of the survey) and state-level data will be used to estimate the impact of a variety of factors such as gender, age, ideology, and social position on attendance at protests or demonstrations across Africa.

Paper long abstract:

Attendance at protests and demonstrations has long been an outlet for those left out of the broader democratic process in Africa to express their frustrations with elites, and governments, and to agitate for progressive change within their countries. Utilizing the fact that attendance at demonstrations and protests has been measured in every round of the Afrobarometer survey (with data from 1999 to 2023) across a wide swath of African states panel data regressions can be utilized to determine what underlying factors lead to increases and decreases in political mobilizations. Throughout the existing literature, age, gender, socioeconomic status, views on democracy and human rights, and a variety of state-level variables such as government type, corruption and levels of repression have been theorized as important in determining the likelihood of an individual to join in a protest or demonstration. By examining data from across an over twenty-year period, and from African states representing every potential state-level configuration, this paper can provide an unparalleled look at the individual-level factors which motivate individuals to attend protests and demonstrations. It opens the way for future research to better understand what kinds of individuals are likely to protest and under what circumstances, what conditions make it more difficult for those who wish to do so from attending, and what ideas, ideologies and views on social issues are the most important indicators for potential mobilization.