John N. Paden

Central African Republic (CAR)

The ethnic classification for the CAR is done at a low level of abstraction and the cultural groups selected correspond in most cases to individual identity groups. However, the Yakoma, Sango, and Gbanziri are clustered together because they share a similar ecological adaptation to a riverine environment. In addition to these peoples, the CAR has smaller populations such as the N’Zakara (3 percent), the Azande (1 percent) and a small number of Pygmies. In the extreme north, there are also small groups of Waddaiens (Rounga, Goula, Kara, Youla) and Sara (Kaba, Dagba).

Information on African political systems : The African National Integration Project data bank:

This report discusses the data archiving activity of the African National Integration Project (ANIP), which was organized to generate, systematize, distribute and analyze quantitative information on African political systems. ANIP was instituted at Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., USA, in March 1967, on a grant from that university’s Council for Intersocietal Studies (CIS). Subsequently, a supplemental grant to finance the preparation of data for publication and distribution was provided by the Program of African Studies (PAS) at Northwestern, and a small grant from the National Institute of Mental Health, USA, was obtained in 1970 to support a summary analysis of data gathered by ANIP. In September 1970, two of the ANIP directors

Burkina Faso (Upper Volta)

The ethnic classification of Upper Volta is done at a middle level of inclusion and abstraction. It follows the schema used by the government of Upper Volta, who state their main criterion as follows (our translation): “The classification given here is primarily based on cultural characteristics which are likely to have an influence on demographic traits.” The Mossi, Fulani, Gurma, and Busansi are identity groups. Large migrations to Ivory Coast to work, while generally temporary, leave the de facto population at some variance from the figure in Table 38.1.

The African Data Manager System (ADMS): Principles, Procedures and Future Developments

The African National Integration Project (ANIP) was organized in 1967 at Northwestern University to generate, systematize, distribute and analyze quantitative information on African political systems. The project has been located at York University (1970–1975), MIT (1975–1981) and the University of Washington (1981–1983) where work has continued on the expansion of the ANIP data holdings. This chapter is a report on the storage and distribution system of the project and the design for its future development.

Conflict and Political Violence in Black African States

In the previous chapter we have presented an introductory discussion of the methodology of cross-national research, which gave some indication of the limits and objectives of the systematic comparative analysis of aggregate data describing countries. The discussion focused on the variety of competing and complementary formulations of empirical tests of generalizations about political life in countries. Although we emphasized the importance of theory as the basis of meaningful generalization and explanation in cross-national research, we gave little indication of the difficulty involved in constructing such theory.

Measures, Models and Meaning in Aggregate Data for African States

In recent years there has been a considerable upsurge in the use of aggregate data for cross-national or holonational studies (Naroll, 1972). This work has been stimulated by, and has stimulated, a dramatic growth in the creation of computer accessible or machine-readable aggregate-data sets descriptive of regional samples or of the universe of nation-states (Russett, et al., 1964; Rummel, 1972; Feierabend and Feierabend, 1965; Gurr, 1966; Adelman and Morris,, 1967 and 1973; Schmitter, 1970; Banks and Textor, 1964; Morrison et. al., 1972; Taylor and Hudson, 1972; Singer, 1972; McGowan, 1974).

Ethnic Unit Classification and Analysis

In Section B, Part I, Chapter 2 and in each of the country profiles in Part II we give information based on the ethnic composition of the populations of African states. This information is not given to perpetuate esoteric interests in traditional or primitive societies, nor are we interested per se in exotic statistics on the number of different languages and tribes in the African continent and the national boundaries of their constituents. Rather the collection and presentation of these data are intended to inform the analysis of sociological theories of pluralism, integration, and other approaches to the continuing, but not unique, problems of national unity in Africa.

Ecology, Demography, Urbanization

Characteristics of the physical environment, the human population, and their mutual interaction in any society are fundamental to comparative analysis. However, many such characteristics are among the more difficult phenomena to measure with reasonable accuracy, particularly in less developed countries.

Comparative Analysis of African Nations: On the Uses and Limitations of Cross-National Data

A detailed account of comparative methodology or cross-national research in the social sciences is not possible here, although such a work is needed.1 It is important, however, to indicate the purposes of cross-national research and the possibilities and limitations of such research in Africa. The discussion here is designed primarily to speak to professional social scientists and “Africanists,” some of whom may be either dubious of the value of comparative research using aggregate data on macro-social entities such as countries, or skeptical of the validity of quantitative, comparative analysis.