The consequences of service delivery for voter turnout in Nigeria

Abstract

Scholars have often found socioeconomic factors like income and education to be determinants of political participation in advanced democracies. However, past studies have claimed that in emerging democracies and hybrid regimes like those in Africa, education and income do not predict participation. If so, what determines participation in the region? This study examines the determinants of citizen engagement and political participation in sub-Saharan Africa; and argues that political attitudes differ depending on who provides the basic goods and services. Specifically, non-state provision of goods reduces political participation and leads to a weak state. I argue that when the state provides, citizens are more likely to participate; whereas when non-state actors provide, citizens are less likely to participate in politics. I also examine the effects of various non-state actors. This paper draws on data from an original survey experiment and fieldwork in Nigeria. This paper sheds light on subnational governance, democratization and citizen-state relationships. Further, the project contributes to the literature on political institutions and institutional analysis of public service delivery.