A Theoretical Examination of Contributing Factors to the Proliferation of Political Vigilantism: Evidence from Ghana.

Abstract

Political vigilantism has been a significant issue in many parts of the world, and it has undermined the rule of law and democratic processes in Ghana. Political vigilantism is understood as actions taken by individuals and/or quasi-institutions other than state officials which could either be extralegal or illegal mostly typified by violence in the political field. Ghana, in particular, has been affected by political vigilantism, and it is considered a major obstacle to political development in the Fourth Republic. This study uses an institutional performance-focused theoretical framework comprising the theories of structuration, legitimacy, institutional failure, and social learning to test the significance of the identified factors contributing to the prevalence of political vigilantism. The study employs a mainly qualitative methodology to answer the research question: “Does the theoretical framework explain the contributing factors of political vigilantism in Ghana?” The findings indicate that key state institutions have failed to fulfill their constitutional mandates and that political interference has motivated the spread of vigilante activities in Ghana. The results further suggest that a combination of factors, including unemployment, poverty, high illiteracy rates, and politicians’ desire for power, has sustained political vigilantism. Finally, the study recommends that allowing institutions such as the electoral commission and criminal justice agencies to work independently and without political influence will reduce the prevalence of political vigilantism, which has marred the beauty of Ghanaian democracy. This study contributes to our understanding of political vigilantism and its implications for theory, policy, laws, and further research. In conclusion, without institutional independence and strict adherence to the rule of law, political vigilantism will continue to be a major issue in Ghana’s political development