Effective Soundbites for Democracy: The Strategic Use of Political Slogans as Instruments of Steadfast Democratic Consciousness and Mobilisation in Africa (Published)
Slogans play a crucial role in branding, mobilising collective actions and shaping democratic consciousness. The mobilisation of synergies is particularly important in contexts where socio-political engagement is politically risky. In many African countries, slogans serve as powerful tools for seeking and reinforcing democratic aspirations and ideals such as freedom and social justice. This study examines the effectiveness of political slogans as soundbites for democracy, decrypting their literary representation in African socio-democratic movements. The theoretical framework of the study is informed by critical discourse analysis, which highlights the role of language in constructing social realities and influencing socio-political behaviour. By focusing on the literary and rhetorical dimensions of slogans, the study offers insights into their persuasive power and positive impact on democratic struggles. The findings of this research contribute to the broader understanding of political communication in Francophone Africa, underlining the significance of slogans as strategies designed to energise the marginalised people for collective actions that solidify democratic aspirations.
Keywords: Francophone Africa, Political Communication, Social Justice, Socio-political slogans, critical discourse analysis, democratic aspirations, mobilisation
Sociological reading of the impact of nepotistic tribalism on political and socio-economic sustainable development in Africa (Published)
This study examines the portrayal of the manifestation and impact of nepotistic tribalism on political and socio-economic sustainable development in Africa. It is argued that tribal affiliation is an enriching cultural identity when it does not infringe on rights and liberties. However, colonial powers historically exploited tribal divisions to maintain control, resulting in weakened institutions in post-independent African nations. This exploitation fostered favouritism, corruption, and lack of accountability. In contexts of scarce resources, tribalism drives nepotistic solidarity through political allegiances based on tribal identities. The resulting divisive politics undermine equal access limited opportunities. Through a sociological reading of social structures and power, aligned with postcolonial theory, anthropological theories of identity and culture, political economy and development theories, and critical discourse analysis, the study analyses the complex portrayal of tribalism in Francophone African narratives. It concludes that nepotistic tribalism is a major hindrance to the sustainable development and requires a reimagining.
Keywords: Anthropological theories, Postcolonial Theory, Sustainable Development, critical discourse analysis, nepotistic tribalism, sociological theory