Trickle-Down ethnic politics: drunk and absent in the Kenya police force (1957-1970) - HAL Access content directly
Journal articles American Economic Journal: Economic Policy Year : 2018

Trickle-Down ethnic politics: drunk and absent in the Kenya police force (1957-1970)

Oliver Kühn
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Patrick M.
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Moradi Alexander
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Abstract

How does ethnic politics affect the state's ability to provide policing services? Using a panel of administrative personnel data on the full careers of 6,784 police officers, we show how the rise of ethnic politics around Kenya's independence influenced policemen's behavior. We find a significant deterioration in discipline after Kenya's first multiparty election for those police officers of ethnic groups associated with the ruling party. These effects are driven by a behavioral change among these policemen. We find no evidence of favoritism within the police. Instead, our results are consistent with co-ethnic officers experiencing an emboldenment effect. Our findings highlight that the state's security apparatus, at its most granular level, is not insulated from ethnic politics.
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halshs-01802894, version 1 (29-05-2018)

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Oliver Vanden Eynde, Oliver Kühn, Patrick M., Moradi Alexander. Trickle-Down ethnic politics: drunk and absent in the Kenya police force (1957-1970). American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, 2018, 10 (3), pp.388-417. ⟨10.1257/pol.20160384⟩. ⟨halshs-01802894⟩
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