A Reexamination of the February 2008 Riots in Cameroon

This study reexamines the events surrounding the February 2008 riots in Cameroon. Our analysis, which is essentially event-based and evaluative, is guided by the central hypothesis that these riots developed from a context that was conducive to them, even though there were, to a large extent, attempts by certain parties to exploit discontent driven by a social group regarding fuel prices. Drawing on the paradigmatic framework of constructivism, methodological individualism, and systems analysis, this study highlights the context-or structural causes-and the nature of the events on the one hand, and the aftermath of the riots and the government's structural responses on the other. These riots have shown that it is possible to develop a rigorous theory of universal scope regarding the consequences of frustration, indignation, or raw anger associated with partisan and union disaffection, or even the failure of intermediary bodies. Ultimately, they raise the issue of resilience-that is, the political system's ability to respond to or anticipate social demands.

Pagina's: 76, Paperback, Our Knowledge Publishing