ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Economic inclusion and social trust in Africa: The positive effects of political reach
Marc L. Hutchison,
Kristin Johnson,
Ashlea Rundlett,
Corresponding Author
Marc L. Hutchison
Department of Political Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
Correspondence
Marc L. Hutchison Department of Political Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorKristin Johnson
Department of Political Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
Search for more papers by this authorAshlea Rundlett
Department of Political Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
Search for more papers by this author
Marc L. Hutchison,
Kristin Johnson,
Ashlea Rundlett,
Corresponding Author
Marc L. Hutchison
Department of Political Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
Correspondence
Marc L. Hutchison Department of Political Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorKristin Johnson
Department of Political Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
Search for more papers by this authorAshlea Rundlett
Department of Political Science, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
Search for more papers by this author
First published: 03 April 2023
Abstract
Using Afrobarometer survey data and statistical modeling techniques designed to mitigate concerns over endogeneity, we find that higher levels of political reach are associated with increased individual social trust. We further observe that political reach has a stronger effect on social trust in post-conflict societies. These findings have significant implications for state-building strategies focused on increasing social cohesion and post-conflict governance.
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