Keypoints:
- €10m project to study African democracy
- Research spans 25 countries and 80 parties
- Findings to strengthen democratic governance
RESEARCHERS from the University of Strathclyde in Scotland are leading a €10 million European project to examine how political parties in Africa strengthen or undermine democratic governance. The ambitious study, the largest of its kind, will span 25 countries and explore the role of political parties in defending or eroding democratic institutions.
Led by Professor Robert Mattes from Strathclyde’s Department of Government and Public Policy, the team has secured €4.6 million through a European Research Council (ERC) Synergy Grant. The project brings together partners from Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the University of Bristol, and the University of Reading.
Mapping the pulse of Africa’s party politics
The researchers will analyse how 80 political parties represent citizens, run campaigns, and hold on to power. They will use interviews, surveys, participant observation, and large-scale data analysis to create an open-access dataset that can be used to strengthen democratic practice.
Professor Mattes, co-founder and senior adviser to the non-partisan Afrobarometer network, said the project arrives at a critical moment for democracy.
‘Democracy is under threat in Africa, as in other parts of the world. Political parties are where democracy is organised,’ he said. ‘Our study aims to equip reformers with evidence-backed practices that strengthen democracy, representation and campaign integrity. It is politically neutral and not about endorsing any party, but about sharing lessons that help democracy thrive.’
Building African-led knowledge
Professor George Bob-Milliar, Associate Professor at KNUST and a principal investigator on the project, said the initiative would transform how African political organisations are studied.
‘African political party organisations have matured, but we still lack understanding of how they expand or undermine liberal democracy,’ he said. ‘This project will elevate African party research to unprecedented levels and offer new insights into democratic development.’
Dr Matthias Kroenke of the University of Reading, another co-lead, said the project combines large-scale data collection with local collaboration.
‘We aim to uncover what helps parties defend democratic principles and what drives them to undermine them,’ he explained. ‘Our findings will not only advance academic knowledge but also offer practical insights for those strengthening democracy on the ground.’
EU champions collaborative science
The ERC Synergy Grant forms part of the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme, which supports small groups of outstanding researchers tackling complex global issues.
In the latest round, 66 research teams across the UK will share €684 million in funding. ERC President Professor Maria Leptin said competition was intense, with many outstanding proposals left unfunded.
‘With more funds, the ERC could fully capitalise on Europe’s wealth of first-class science,’ she said. ‘Such scientific endeavours are exactly what Europe needs to stay at the forefront of innovation.’
