Foundations of Democracy in Mali: Youth Social Clubs and Social Capital in the Sahel

A book workshop by invitation, led by Kellogg Institute Faculty Fellow Jaimie Bleck.

This workshop will explore informal youth associations, social capital, and questions about Mali's current crises. Since 2012, Mali is confronted by multiple crises - of governance, of sovereignty, and of human development. It draws on transcripts from 66 focus groups with informal, urban youth associations (grin) to 1) better understand the role that these groups play in Mali's democratic landscape and 2) to explore youth attitudes towards ways out of the current crises. In doing so, it treats questions directly linked to two key themes of Kellogg. What are the ways that these informal associations contribute to democratic practices and social cohesion in Mali? What are the broader issues needed to be addressed for a return to multi-party elections? How do youth understand the relationship between development, insurgent and other non-state actors, and governance?