06/06/2024
By Karen Mullins
The School of Criminology and Justice Studies is proud to announce a Dissertation Proposal Defense by Melissa E. Swauncy-Coleman entitled "Strain, Clientelism & Symbolic Politics in Post-Colonial Mass Dictatorships: A Qualitative Case Study of Suriname."
Thursday, June 20
2 to 3:30 p.m.
Via Zoom
Committee
- Christopher Linebarger
- Arie Perliger
- Wilson Palacios
- Kjell Anderson
Abstract:
In 2023, three African nations saw major military coups; citizens of those nations cheered. As many post-colonial societies are currently experiencing a dictatorship or democratic backsliding, there is a need to understand why such countries seem particularly vulnerable to authoritarian rule. More pressingly, it is necessary to understand why mass dictatorships, authoritarian governments that enjoy strong support from citizens, thrive. Using a qualitative case study of Suriname, a country that has seen both colonialism, military dictatorship and democracy over the last fifty years, I use a critical post-colonial framework to examine how strains caused by colonialism prompt citizens to support leaders who provide coping mechanisms for those strains, regardless of (and at times because of) violent tactics, giving dictators legitimacy. Sixty-Six participants were interviewed over the course of two trips to Suriname. Using thematic analysis, sentiment analysis and qualitative hypothesis testing, I find that neo-colonial polices left significant strains in Surinamese society that the dictator was readily able to answer through clientelism and symbolic politics. His increasing violence turned several citizens against him yet his supporters continue to neutralize his victims, labeling them agents of the colonizer. Civil war violence also led to an increase in support for him, as the rebel army victimized tribes in the Amazon. Recommendations for restorative justice are included.