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Political Party “Footsoldierism” and “Vigilantism”, An Empirical Study

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Global Encyclopedia of Public Administration, Public Policy, and Governance

Synonyms

Africa; Democracy; Foot soldiers; Ghana; Political parties; Politics; Vigilantism

Definition

Political vigilantism, otherwise referred to as “footsoldierism,” refers to the resort to, and the use of illicit mechanisms to advance and realize parochial political goals.

Introduction

Ghana’s attainment of Independence from British colonial rule on 6 March 1957, the ensuing slump into a 24-year military rule, and its subsequent resurgence onto the path of democracy has made it an oasis of hope in matters of democracy and governance in Africa and the developing world. To this end, corporate governance within the precincts of Ghana has undergone a monumental sea change since the initiation of democratic reforms. Among other things, the consolidation of democracy, and the entrenchment of liberalization and its tenets thereof, has engendered significant inroads including, but not limited to, extending rights to citizens to participate in the governance process by way of voting, having...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Government and International Studies, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong

    Vincent Ekow Arkorful

  2. School of Management, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China

    Benjamin Kweku Lugu

Authors
  1. Vincent Ekow Arkorful
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  2. Benjamin Kweku Lugu
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA

    Ali Farazmand

Appendix

Appendix

Constructs

Items

Unemployment

I intend to be a vigilante when I am not employed

I think vigilantism can help me get employment

I intend engaging in vigilantism as a form of work

Distrust

State security is not trustworthy

The state institutions are not honest

The state institutions are not sincere

Loyalty

I feel obliged to protect my political party

I feel indebted to fight for my political party

I think my political party needs my protection

Powerlessness

I intend been a vigilante when my party is defenseless

I plan to be a vigilante when my party has no protection

I shall avail myself whenever my party is overpowered

Attitude

I think vigilantism is useful to protect my political party

I think vigilantism is useful to protecting my interest

I think vigilantism is a wise action

Intention

I am willing to be a vigilante for my political party in future

I intend to be a vigilante to protect my party in future

I plan to be a vigilante when I join a political party in future

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Arkorful, V.E., Lugu, B.K. (2021). Political Party “Footsoldierism” and “Vigilantism”, An Empirical Study. In: Farazmand, A. (eds) Global Encyclopedia of Public Administration, Public Policy, and Governance. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31816-5_4275-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31816-5_4275-1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-31816-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-31816-5

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