Abstract:
The rationale of this study was to determine the underlying reasons for youth
involvement in political vigilantism and to explore the threat political vigilantism poses
to the peace of the country. The qualitative paradigm was adopted for the study. The
design was a case study. Twenty-five (25) respondents were sampled through purposive
sampling techniques. Field data was collected with the aid of interview-guide and
analyzed using content and thematic analysis. It was found through the study that
political parties form vigilante groups due to the mistrust they have in state security
apparatus. The study also found out that vigilante groups are formed to perpetuate the
rule of political parties. It was revealed through the study that political vigilantism poses
threat to the maintenance of law and order in the country. Political vigilantism and its
associated violent activities are a great threat to the maintenance of law and order and the
general peace and security of the country. Political violence, which is a major component
of political vigilantism, jeopardises political stability, democratic reform, prospects of
economic development, and creates human suffering and in some cases degenerates into
civil war. The study therefore recommends that political parties desist from interfering in
the work of the police and the judiciary and that the law should apply squarely to the
perpetrators of the political violence if arrested by the police.
Description:
A Thesis in the Centre for Conflict, Human Rights and Peace Studies,
Faculty of Social Science Education, submitted to the School of
Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment
of the requirements for the award of the degree of
Master of Philosophy
(Human Rights, Conflict and Peace Studies)
in the University of Education, Winneba
