The Elite Africa Project: what is it and why does it matter?
[[{“value”:”
The Elite Africa Project: what is it and why does it matter?
The word ‘elite’, used to refer to a person of high status who holds a lot of power and influence, often has negative connotations. This is especially true for African elites, who are often seen as corrupt, power-hungry and self-serving. At the University of Toronto in Canada, a group of interdisciplinary academics have come together to create the Elite Africa Project, a global project that aims to change how powerful people from Africa are viewed across the world.
Talk like a political scientist
Apartheid — a system in which race-based segregation deprives a racialised group of their political and civil rights
Big Man — someone who holds significant political status, wealth and power, often in a system where rule is highly personalised. ‘Big Men’ are not necessarily physically large and powerful; instead, they maintain their power by the force of their personality, their control over resources and their leadership style
Elites — a political science term describing powerful people who make key decisions and set the agenda for others
Neo-patrimonialism — a system of governance that is based on exchanging a country’s resources for loyalty and support, a practice that is often seen as corrupt and undermines more legitimate forms of government
Pan-Africanism — the idea that African peoples have common interests and should be unified
When most of us think of elites, we think of politicians, government leaders and old, rich people in suits. But what about famous musicians who are able to influence their fans to support causes and believe certain ideas? Or religious leaders, steering whole groups of people who follow them? What about writers who influence what we know about the world and how we think about it?
At the University of Toronto and other research organisations from around the world, a group of academics have started the Elite Africa Project with the goal of changing how African elites are viewed by the rest of the world. “In much public discussion, the term ‘elite’ has taken on a negative connotation,” says Professor Antoinette Handley, one of the academics leading the project. “Elites are often treated as villains, and this is especially true for African elites, who are often viewed through racist stereotypes of selfish, corrupt political leaders.”
“Both in academia and in wider public discourse, African elites have either been ignored or depicted as grasping and self-interested,” continues Antoinette. “This framing reinforces negative ideas about the continent and its peoples. Our work aims to counter these ideas by starting global conversations about ‘who leads’ in Africa, and how they do so.”
The Elite Africa Project
The Elite Africa Project aims to change what comes to mind when people think of African leadership. “We want to refocus attention on a wider and more varied set of elites from those who have predominated in the past, such as the parasitic ‘Big Men’ of neo-patrimonial politics,” says Antoinette.
The ‘Big Men’ of neo-patrimonial politics include leaders such as Mobutu Sese Seko, who was the president of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) for over 31 years, leading a regime of absolute control over the country. Instead of viewing Africa through these corrupt leaders, the Elite Africa Project is promoting a more representative view of Africa’s powerful individuals.
For example, in 2006, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became the president of Liberia, becoming the first elected female head of state in Africa. Thanks to her efforts to promote peace and women’s rights, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011.
Who is the project highlighting?
The project is looking at leaders across six different domains of power: political, economic, coercive, ritual, aesthetic and religious.
“The political domain can include high level politicians, the heads of major trade unions or leaders of international organisations like the African Union,” says Antoinette. “The economic domain includes business people and the managers of large companies, or those who devise economic and trade policies.” The coercive domain is made up of those who wield force (including the police, security agencies and the military) while the ritual domain includes those whose power is derived largely from status and ritual, such as traditional rulers, kings and queens. “The aesthetic domain is made up of artists: photographers, painters, dancers, musicians, writers and architects,” continues Antoinette. “And the religious domain comprises spiritual leaders of every religion and spiritual tradition, as well as those who wield the power of ideas, such as academics and intellectual elites.”
By considering all these domains of power, the project takes into account a vast range of people doing incredible things on the African continent including Kofi Annan, the former Secretary General of the United Nations, Burna Boy, a famous Afrobeats musician, and Mana Sitti Habib Jamaladdin, a poet and scholar from Somalia.
What has the project done so far?
The Elite Africa Project has been conducting interviews, publishing articles, hosting conferences, talking on discussion panels and encouraging new academic research on these African elites. “We have also created a database of trusted sources on our website for those who want to get started on researching Africa’s elites,” says Antoinette. The team posts about their research on social media, offers a masterclass through the Aspire Institute, and shares their work with a wide range of people by creating educational resources.
By promoting this updated view of leaders in Africa, the team is hoping to change the way that Africa is viewed and showcase the expansive range of leaders and elites in Africa today. “When we switch frames to consider the African continent as embodying and projecting new, generative forms of power, our view of Africa changes,” says Antoinette. “It may also change how we understand power itself.”
Elite Africa Project
Department of Political Science, University of Toronto, Canada
Fields of research: Political science, history, women and gender studies, international relations
Research project: Changing the way that powerful African elites are viewed
Funders: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), University of Toronto
About Political Science
Political science is the study of governance and power, political thought, political behaviours, and laws. It is a social science that exists at the intersection of various fields including politics, economics, history, anthropology and philosophy. “Political science is a broad discipline that includes everything from comparative studies of local and national politics to much wider, international questions,” says Antoinette.
Choosing to enter a career in political science can lead you down many different paths, as there are many ways to use a political science degree. Careers in the field might involve working in academic research or working for a government, a political party, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), an international organisation such as the United Nations, or a volunteer organisation.
“Political science studies power and how it works,” says Antoinette. “While current events can sometimes feel bewildering and even overwhelming, political science can give you a broader analytic frame for understanding these events.
“I often find that the biggest obstacle to real knowledge is what people think they know – when what they know may be based more on stereotypes and caricatures than on the more messy and detailed reality,” says Antoinette. “The best way to overcome this is with careful and detailed empirical evidence that can challenge those ways of thinking.”
Pathway from school to political science
“Studying any of the social science subjects will be helpful, along with history, literature and statistics,” says Antoinette. “There can be quite a lot of statistics and quantitative work in political science, so picking up some statistical skills along the way will always be useful.”
After high school, study a degree at university such as political science, politics or economics. However, careers in political science can be entered into from various different degrees, so choosing a degree in international relations, anthropology or history can also be a useful starting point. “Figure out what interests you, and follow that path,” says Antoinette.
Career Explorer has some useful information on how to become a political scientist and what a career as a political scientist involves.
Explore careers in political science
Read about the research conducted by members of the University of Toronto’s Department of Political Science.
“Good Authority is a terrific blog that tries to bring political science research to a wider audience,” says Antoinette. “For those interested in Africa particularly, I would strongly recommend Africa is a Country, a fantastic blog which focuses on a wide range of topics and events in Africa.”
Read this blog post from the London School of Economics and Political Science about how to think like a political scientist.
According to Salary Expert, the average annual salary for a political scientist in Canada is $107,000 CAD.
Reference
https://doi.org/10.33424/FUTURUM560
© Laurel Maryland/wikimedia
© The National Archives UK/wikimedia
© World Economic Forum / Aly Ramji/wikimedia
Meet the team
Antoinette Handley
Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Toronto, Canada
Fields of research: Political science, comparative politics, political economy
I was always interested in politics. I grew up on a farm in apartheid South Africa – a society that was completely segregated along racial lines. It was a society where there was no escaping how important politics was to everyday life, determining everything from where you could live, to how long you were likely to live. I wanted to understand why my life looked so different from the lives of Black South Africans.
An important moment in my career was winning the Rhodes scholarship, but there have also been quieter moments of intense pride that may matter even more. For example, when, as a class instructor, you see a student’s eyes light up as they get excited in class about an idea, or when the people who know a place very well confirm that you have understood and captured important truths about that place in your research.
Being curious and interested in how people understand their own lives has enabled me to be a successful political scientist. As has being eager to visit new places, being open-minded and being prepared to be wrong.
One of the people I most admire is Thandika Mkandawire, a brilliant Malawian economist who worked in academia but also strove to make real change in the world of policy and in transforming the economies in which ordinary people live. He always sought to challenge orthodoxy with evidence and stereotypes with specifics.
To unwind from work, I love to work in the garden and read – I read widely, including lots of fiction. I also love to run; in my younger days, I used to run marathons but now I just pootle around the block.
Antoinette’s top tip
Understand what is important to you and the values that drive you. Pick a career that will serve those things.
Dickson Eyoh
Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Toronto, Canada
Fields of research: State formation in Africa; culture, identity and politics; Africanist discourse
My professional life has been spent as a researcher and teacher of African politics, economy and development. Understanding the origins and behaviours of elites – the very small minority of persons in society who greatly influence decision-making processes — is a key concern in both areas.
Working with colleagues from different academic disciplines will enrich our knowledge of the complex ways in which elites come to power and operate within and across domains, as well as how they connect Africa to the external world.
Youssou N’dour is an extraordinary Senegalese musician whose music is unmistakably Senegalese, but captivates a global audience. He combines his art with active engagement in national politics, previously serving as Minister of Tourism in Senegal. He was also an activist in the global struggle against apartheid in South Africa. He exemplifies how elites can embody the richness of Africa’s cultural heritages and, at the same time, commit to helping the less fortunate across the African continent and the wider world.
The analytical skills and knowledge of important issues that are central to political science are an excellent foundation for a wide range of professional fields including law, public advocacy and journalism.
Dickson’s top tips
1. Be curious about the multiple and overlapping worlds in your life.
2. Have a critical mind and be open to new and contrary ideas.
Gerald Bareebe
Associate Professor, Department of Politics, York University, Canada
Fields of research: Social science, politics, post-conflict state reconstruction
I obtained my PhD from the University of Toronto in 2019 and stayed on to work as a postdoctoral fellow. My research broadly explores the process of post-conflict state reconstruction in two cases: post-genocide Rwanda and post-war Uganda.
I joined the Elite Africa Project (EAP) because I was excited to join a network of scholars seeking to understand how decisions made by African elites impact the continent’s social, economic and political development. I was also keen to join a project that highlights the many achievements of African elites that are otherwise rarely considered.
As an African scholar who has lived on the continent for most of my life, I hope to see the EAP evolve further to include more scholars that are based at African universities and other research institutions.
Major Fatima Isaacs waged a two-year battle against the dress policy in the South African army after she was charged with disobeying commands. The charges were withdrawn and female military officers in South Africa can now wear their hijabs with their military uniforms. The development was an important victory, not only for her, but for all those who were silently victimised because of their religion.
Pursuing a career in social science research is ideal for students who are passionate about understanding people’s behaviour, interactions and well-being. The findings from social science research can be used to design, implement and evaluate public policy performance and help governments perform better.
Gerald’s top tips
1. Find a mentor who can provide career guidance based on your passion.
2. Participate in debate clubs that discuss politics to further explore your passion.
3. Read books and watch documentaries to gain a deeper understanding of subjects you are passionate about.
Nakanyike Musisi
Associate Professor, Department of History, University of Toronto, Canada
Fields of research: History, women’s studies, gender studies, education
My journey to the EAP began with a deep interest in understanding how history, gender and education intersect to shape the lives of women and communities across Africa. Through my role as a professor, I have connected with scholars and students who share these interests, making EAP a natural extension of my work.
The EAP amplifies voices and experiences often overlooked in global conversations. I believe in the importance of sharing knowledge that reflects diverse perspectives, and the EAP is a vital way to foster understanding and solidarity across borders.
My vision is for the EAP to bridge educational gaps and encourage new generations to engage deeply with African histories, cultures, politics, literature, economics and potential. I also hope the project will foster collaboration between researchers, students and community leaders to create initiatives that drive meaningful social change, encourage leadership and build more inclusive narratives around African identities.
Wangari Maathai is a Kenyan environmentalist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Her work in founding the Green Belt Movement showed the world how environmental action can empower communities, protect natural resources and promote women’s leadership. Wangari’s legacy is a reminder that leadership can come in many forms and that standing up for your beliefs can create lasting change. She inspired me to plant more than 400 avocado trees over a period of three years in Uganda.
Studying history, women’s studies, gender studies, and education provides powerful insights into the roles that women and marginalised groups play in shaping history, culture and policy. Studying these areas not only teaches us about the past but also helps us understand our present and how we can create a more inclusive future. For anyone interested in social change, this field offers countless opportunities to contribute meaningfully.
Nakanyike’s top tips
1. Listen to and learn from people with different backgrounds and experiences to build a well-rounded, empathetic view.
2. Practice gathering and analysing information from different sources and learn to critically question and interpret what you find and read.
3. Look for clubs, volunteer opportunities or internships. Practical experiences will deepen your understanding and help you make meaningful connections in your career.
Thomas Kwasi Tieku
Professor, King’s University College At The University of Western Ontario, Canada
Fields of research: International relations, global governance
I am fascinated by the question of why some elites use their power to make positive impacts on the lives of non-elites while others fail to do so. This curiosity began during my undergraduate studies, when I explored why certain chiefs in my traditional Oyoko family in Kokofu and Wassa (Ghana) left a lasting imprint, while others faded from family myths and memory. With such a deep-rooted interest in African elites, the EAP felt like my natural habitat.
I am deeply committed to research, publishing and teaching that can make a positive difference in the world. I hope the EAP can show how African elites can become agents of transformative progress. I hope our research can contribute to creating ‘elite changemakers’ who prioritise the well-being of Africans and their communities.
Dr Kwame Nkrumah, a Ghanian politician, and Dr Salim Ahmed Salim, a Tanzanian diplomat, are pan-Africanists. Their worldview transcends the usual boundaries of national or ethnic identity to embrace every African. I have immense respect for individuals who think beyond tribal affiliations to recognise our shared humanity. Genuine pan-Africanists, like Nkrumah and Salim, embody this rare quality, and their vision resonates deeply with my belief in our shared humanity and a unified Africa.
The field of international relations offers a unique opportunity to shape and uplift lives in ways that few other fields can. Working in international relations gives you the chance to shape other people’s futures, work directly on impactful projects and contribute to dialogue that has the potential to create a fairer and more equitable world. Along the way, you will connect with passionate and brilliant individuals who are equally committed to making a difference. The personal and professional satisfaction of knowing that your work truly matters will be what gets you out of bed most days.
Thomas’ top tips
1. Work on building strong networking and social skills.
2. Learn other languages and explore other cultures by joining cultural exchange programmes, travelling when possible and engaging with diverse communities.
3. Cherish and enjoy every step of the learning journey.
Do you have a question for Peter?
Write it in the comments box below and Peter will get back to you. (Remember, researchers are very busy people, so you may have to wait a few days.)
Learn about how women had to fight for their democratic rights:
The post The Elite Africa Project: what is it and why does it matter? appeared first on Futurum.
“}]]