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Case studies

This paper analyses the nature and extent of prevailing Horizontal Inequalities (HIs). The research particularly focuses on what can be done to reduce actual and perceived HIs in three West African countries, Nigeria, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

The authors discuss a number of specific findings in each case and then present overall findings. Some of these include:

• the probability of conflict rises where HIs are higher
• conflict is more likely where political and socio-economic HIs are high and in the same direction, or consistent
• it appears that political HIs are particularly important triggers of conflict, because it seems they affect elite motives
• the presence of natural resources can be a significant cause of separatist conflict, as well as of local conflict
• finally, national and international policies and statistics are too often blind to the issue of HIs

The authors argue that there are a number of ways His can be reduced. A Human Rights approach, for example can be generally helpful in this goal. However, they argue that it is easier to put in place policies to address inequalities in access to social services (such as education), and more difficult to ensure equality of economic opportunity, particularly where economic development is tending to increase HIs.

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