Paper short abstract:

While revolutions are temporary unifying moments, once the momentum of a revolution is lost, this loss will be experienced in different ways across different groups. These differences are shown in their demands and their expectations that quickly change as the revolution phase passes.

Paper long abstract:

While revolutions are temporary unifying moments, once the momentum of a revolution is lost, this loss will be experienced in different ways across different groups. In Burkina Faso, like many other African states, the focus on group identity is essential because ethnicity is one of the primary organising principles of post-colonial politics (Mamdani, 2001). Even during unifying moments like an uprising, these differences are shown in their demands and their expectations that quickly change as soon as the revolution and the transitional phase passes. I therefore examine the relationship between ethnic group identity and political expectations. To do so, I expand Davies' J-Curve Theory. First, I move away from the single curve of Davies' theory. Second, I extend the curve beyond the outbreak of the revolution to revolutionary and post-revolutionary periods - necessary for my paper. Third, the relationship between met needs differs from group to group - while groups that have always had power expect them to keep on improving, smaller groups adjust expectations to circumstances. Finally, if the gains of the revolution are lost (e.g. election of Kaboré) then the expectations/needs gap will start to emerge again among the groups in the post-revolutionary era.