Overview

Why has democracy failed to reduce corruption in Kenya? Framing the challenge in game theoretical terms, Dominic Burbidge examines how mutual expectations between citizens dictate the success or failure of political reforms. Since 1992, Kenya has conducted multiparty elections with the hope of promoting accountability and transparency in government. This is being undermined by ongoing corruption and an increasingly centralised state response to terrorism. Providing a nuanced assessment of democracy’s difficult road in Kenya, Burbidge discusses the independent role being played by widespread social expectations of corruption. Through tracking average views of the average person, it is possible to identify a threshold beyond which society suffers mutually reinforcing negative social expectations. This trend is the shadow of Kenyan democracy, and must be treated as a policy challenge on its own terms before institutional reforms will be successful.

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9781472467683

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’This often beautifully written book represents one of the most thoughtful and sustained attempts to understand and analyse corruption in Kenya to date. Burbidge draws on a range of fresh insights from different disciplines, and backs them up with new data collected at the county level. As a result, this valuable volume has much to tell us not only about corruption, but also about democratization and devolution.’ Nic Cheeseman, Director of the African Studies Centre, University of Oxford, UK ’Anti-corruption campaigns throughout Africa have often been steered by uninformed and inaccurate research on what drives corruption. African leaders have failed to define, contextualise and delineate its boundaries, and some governments and donors have been extravagantly vocal and sensational without achieving results. This book is a daring and timely application of game theory models to corruption perceptions in Kenya.’ Luis Franceschi, Dean of Strathmore Law School, Kenya

'Anti-corruption campaigns throughout Africa have often been steered by uninformed and inaccurate research on what drives corruption. African leaders have failed to define, contextualise and delineate its boundaries, and some governments and donors have been extravagantly vocal and sensational without achieving results. This book is a daring and timely application of game theory models to corruption perceptions in Kenya.' Luis Franceschi, Strathmore Law School, Kenya 'This often beautifully written book represents one of the most thoughtful and sustained attempts to understand and analyse corruption in Kenya to date. Burbidge draws on a range of fresh insights from different disciplines, and backs them up with new data collected at the county level. As a result, this valuable volume has much to tell us not only about corruption, but also about democratization and devolution.' Nic Cheeseman, Director of the African Studies Centre, University of Oxford, UK

Author Information

Dominic Burbidge is a Post-Doctoral Research Associate of the James Madison Program at Princeton University. He has taught law and public policy at Strathmore University in Kenya, and completed his doctorate at Oriel College, University of Oxford.

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