Tribalization of politics in authoritarian regimes: Analysis of the link between political tribalism and right-wing authoritarianism in Cameroon
- January 14, 2021
- Posted by: RSIS Team
- Categories: IJRISS, Sociology
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue I, January 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186
Gustave Adolphe MESSANGA & Sonia NPIANENGONGUEU
Department of Philosophy-Psychology-Sociology, University of Dschang, Cameroon
Abstract : This study analyzes the Relationship between political tribalism and right-Wing authoritarianism in Cameroon. It assumes That there is a positive and significant link between those two constructs. 191 Beti students, including 111 women and 80 men attending the universities of Dschang and Yaounde 1 were selected as participants. Their average age is 26.96 years. The choice made on Beti tribe is linked to the fact that literature reveals that political tribalism is mostly observed among dominant ethnic groups (Lonsdale, 2011). Data collection was done using a political tribalism’s scale constructed for the purposes of the study and Dunwoody and Funke’s (2016) right-wing authoritarianism scale, revised and adapted to cameroonian context by Npiane Ngongueu (2018). Analyzes provide empirical support for the hypothesis of the study (r = .15, p <.05). Thus, this study contributes to the advancement of theoretical knowledge about authoritarian personality. In agreement with literature, it can be said that authoritarianism makes it possible to understand psychological basis of many sociopolitical and intergroup behaviors, such as tribalism (Shaffer & Duckitt, 2013).
Keywords : Political Tribalism, right-Wing authoritarianism, inter group discrimination, in group favoritismes, out group derogation.
I. INTRODUCTION
Investigations on discriminatory ideologies were introduced into social science field by authoritarian personality theory (Adorno et al., 1950). In their wake, studies have been conducted in the fields of psychology and political science, about the mechanisms of membership in fascist, totalitarian, conservatist and racist movements. This theory allows to understand discriminatory attitudes (tribalism, ethnocentrism, racism, anti-Semitism), right-wing authoritarianism, unconditional submission to authority, tolerance of aggression, repression against deviant groups or minorities, conventionalism, conformism, and support for repressive and liberticidal policies.
