The persistent impact of Coups on Social Capital in Africa

This project investigates the impact of coup d'états on social capital in Africa, with a particular focus on Ghana and comparative insights across the continent. While existing research has extensively documented the political and economic consequences of coups, less attention has been given to how these episodes of political instability influence interpersonal trust, institutional trust, and broader social cohesion—key components of social capital. The core premise of this study is that coups disrupt social capital through multiple reinforcing pathways. First, they undermine institutional trust by signaling that political rules and democratic processes are fragile and can be overturned by force. This undermines confidence in governance systems, legal structures, and social contracts. Second, coups often reflect or exacerbate ethnic, regional, or religious cleavages, which can fragment communities and reduce inter-group trust. Third, the economic uncertainty and resource scarcity that frequently follow coups may heighten competition and weaken traditional social support networks. Using both cross-national panel datasets and Afrobarometer survey data, the research will explore whether countries with repeated coup histories exhibit lower levels of trust in political institutions and fellow citizens, even after transitions to democratic rule. Special attention will be given to Ghana, which experienced multiple coups between 1966 and 1981 before achieving a period of democratic consolidation. This provides a compelling case to examine the long-term, possibly latent, effects of political trauma on social cohesion. The project will also examine potential mitigating or mediating factors. For instance, the role of religion—particularly Christianity, which emphasizes community and trust—is explored as a possible source of in-group trust that does not necessarily translate to generalized social capital. Additionally, urban population density, as a factor linked to weakened social cohesion and amplified experiences of political unrest, is considered in the analysis. Expected outcomes include a deeper understanding of how political shocks such as coups shape long-term social capital in African societies, with implications for post-conflict recovery, democratic resilience, and development planning. The research contributes to political sociology, development studies, and African politics by linking macro-political events with micro-level social outcomes.