Urbanization and Political Regime Maintenance in Cameroon: A Qualitative Study of Selected Sub-Divisions in Ndian Division
Keywords:
Urbanization, Political Regime and Regime maintenance.Abstract
The rapid expansion of towns and cities has implications not only for economic development and social organization but also for political participation, political mobilisation, and the maintenance or transformation of political regimes. This study examines the relationship between urbanisation and political regime maintenance in Cameroon, with particular attention to selected Sub-Divisions in Ndian Division of the South-West Region. The study adopts a qualitative research approach to explore how changing patterns of population settlement influence political participation and the consolidation of political regime. Data were collected through verbal semi-structured interviews and were analysed thematically. Findings show that urbanization does not produce a uniform political effect. While urban areas create opportunities for political awareness and exposure to alternative political ideas, it also contributes to build mechanisms through which political regimes may be sustained. Therefore, urbanization should not be understood just as a force for political regime change, its political consequences depend on the institutional, socioeconomic, and political conditions within which urbanization occurs.
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