Peace as societal transformation: intergenerational power-struggles and the role of youth in post-conflict Sierra Leone
Intergenerational solidarity and reciprocity are fundamental building blocks of any society. At the same time, socio-generational groups constantly struggle for influence and authority. In Sub-Saharan Africa, disproportionately male, gerontocratic and patrimonial systems governing economic, social a...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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2012
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| _version_ | 1826315788022185984 |
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| author | Boersch-Supan, J |
| author2 | de Oliveira, R |
| author_facet | de Oliveira, R Boersch-Supan, J |
| author_sort | Boersch-Supan, J |
| collection | OXFORD |
| description | Intergenerational solidarity and reciprocity are fundamental building blocks of any society. At the same time, socio-generational groups constantly struggle for influence and authority. In Sub-Saharan Africa, disproportionately male, gerontocratic and patrimonial systems governing economic, social and political life lend a special explosiveness to the social cleavage of generation. This dissertation draws on the concept of the generational contract to explore whether Sierra Leone’s decade-long civil war (1991-2001) – labelled a ‘revolt of youth’ – catalysed changes in the power-asymmetries between age groups. Based on fieldwork conducted between 2007 and 2010, I argue that youth in post-war Sierra Leone question fundamental norms of intergenerational relations and challenge local governance structures demanding changes to the generational contract. Amidst a strong continuity of gerontocratic dominance and counter-strategies from elders, youth draw on organisational forms and a local rights discourse to create spaces for contestation and negotiation. These openings hold potential for long-term rearrangements of societal relations in the medium to long-term future. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T08:25:42Z |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oxford-uuid:19e1c5d6-e910-4a0e-b7be-f66b19d988be |
| institution | University of Oxford |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-09T03:32:33Z |
| publishDate | 2012 |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | oxford-uuid:19e1c5d6-e910-4a0e-b7be-f66b19d988be2024-12-01T15:45:06ZPeace as societal transformation: intergenerational power-struggles and the role of youth in post-conflict Sierra LeoneThesishttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_db06uuid:19e1c5d6-e910-4a0e-b7be-f66b19d988beIntergenerational relationshipsGovernance in AfricaChildren and youthRights (development)Social InequalityHuman rightsLocal GovernmentSocial statusSocial mobilitySocial cleavagesAfricaEnglishOxford University Research Archive - Valet2012Boersch-Supan, Jde Oliveira, RIntergenerational solidarity and reciprocity are fundamental building blocks of any society. At the same time, socio-generational groups constantly struggle for influence and authority. In Sub-Saharan Africa, disproportionately male, gerontocratic and patrimonial systems governing economic, social and political life lend a special explosiveness to the social cleavage of generation. This dissertation draws on the concept of the generational contract to explore whether Sierra Leone’s decade-long civil war (1991-2001) – labelled a ‘revolt of youth’ – catalysed changes in the power-asymmetries between age groups. Based on fieldwork conducted between 2007 and 2010, I argue that youth in post-war Sierra Leone question fundamental norms of intergenerational relations and challenge local governance structures demanding changes to the generational contract. Amidst a strong continuity of gerontocratic dominance and counter-strategies from elders, youth draw on organisational forms and a local rights discourse to create spaces for contestation and negotiation. These openings hold potential for long-term rearrangements of societal relations in the medium to long-term future. |
| spellingShingle | Intergenerational relationships Governance in Africa Children and youth Rights (development) Social Inequality Human rights Local Government Social status Social mobility Social cleavages Africa Boersch-Supan, J Peace as societal transformation: intergenerational power-struggles and the role of youth in post-conflict Sierra Leone |
| title | Peace as societal transformation: intergenerational power-struggles and the role of youth in post-conflict Sierra Leone |
| title_full | Peace as societal transformation: intergenerational power-struggles and the role of youth in post-conflict Sierra Leone |
| title_fullStr | Peace as societal transformation: intergenerational power-struggles and the role of youth in post-conflict Sierra Leone |
| title_full_unstemmed | Peace as societal transformation: intergenerational power-struggles and the role of youth in post-conflict Sierra Leone |
| title_short | Peace as societal transformation: intergenerational power-struggles and the role of youth in post-conflict Sierra Leone |
| title_sort | peace as societal transformation intergenerational power struggles and the role of youth in post conflict sierra leone |
| topic | Intergenerational relationships Governance in Africa Children and youth Rights (development) Social Inequality Human rights Local Government Social status Social mobility Social cleavages Africa |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT boerschsupanj peaceassocietaltransformationintergenerationalpowerstrugglesandtheroleofyouthinpostconflictsierraleone |