Why are Military Takeovers so Frequent in Postcolonial African Politics

For many years, the African continent has been a center for political unrest. Much of that political unrest is blamed on the extended period of European colonization that the continent was forced to endure. Because of ethnic differences, natural resources, and ineffective governments, Africa has been subject to many military takeovers in the postcolonial period. Military takeovers are not unique to Africa. Like of many similar countries, the developing countries in Africa are naturally more susceptible to coup d’Ã ©tats than their developed counterparts. The perfect storm of economic and social inequities, coupled with the inability to provide for the basic necessities of its citizens often results in a regime change through any means necessary. Military coups are typically not beneficial to the citizens, however; the combination of these factors makes the idea of regime change appealing and as a consequence the prospects of a military takeover are augmented. Unlike other regions, Africa displays an even higher rate of governmental turnover. In fact, since gaining independence, the majority of the 54 African countries have experience a military takeover. Much of the plight of Africa was determined by its colonization. Almost all of the African was under European colonization at some point. In fact, only two countries on the continent did not experience colonization, Ethiopia and Liberia. While colonization effectively ended about 50 years ago, the effects of colonization are still visible on the continent. One of the main reasons for political instability in Africa is a result of a lack of unity within nations. Traditional African society was based on tribal affiliations. The relationship between two African tribes was som... ... stable, most African governments appear to be trying to become better. In the future, African governments may be able to avoid the military interventions that hinder their development. Works Cited "Divide and Conquer, A European Legacy in Africa." ÂÂ » The Corkonian Anthropologist. Web. 17 Apr. 2012. . Jenkins, J. C., and Augustine J. Kposowa. "The Political Origins of African Military Coups: Ethnic Competition, Military Centrality, and the Struggle over the Postcolonial State." International Studies Quarterly 36.3 (1992): 271-91. Print. Johnson, Thomas H., and Robert O. Slater. "Explaining African Military Coups D'Etat, 1960-1982." The American Political Science Review 78.3 (1984): 622-40. Print. Wood, Ethel. AP Comparative Government and Politics. Reading, Penn.: Woodyard Publications, 2009. Print.