State legitimacy in Sahelian countries: Exploring the impact of insecurity on institutional trust in Burkina Faso
The security situation in Sahelian countries, particularly Burkina Faso, has deteriorated sharply in recent years, raising serious concerns about its impact on state legitimacy. This study examines how perceived insecurity affects citizens’ trust in core state institutions—the executive, legislative...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Cogent Economics & Finance |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23322039.2025.2524574 |
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| Summary: | The security situation in Sahelian countries, particularly Burkina Faso, has deteriorated sharply in recent years, raising serious concerns about its impact on state legitimacy. This study examines how perceived insecurity affects citizens’ trust in core state institutions—the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Drawing on theories of state legitimacy, fragile state governance, and the social contract, we use data from the 2019 Afrobarometer survey of 1,200 Burkinabé adults. A multivariate Probit regression model is employed to capture potential interdependence in trust across institutions. Results show that insecurity significantly reduces institutional trust, with a stronger impact observed in urban areas, especially toward the executive and legislative powers. Trust across the three branches is found to be interrelated. Additionally, factors such as access to basic health services, youth inclusion, education, living conditions, perceptions of corruption, and the government's handling of terrorism and economic management also influence institutional trust. The study underscores the need to combat insecurity in all its forms, promote good governance, and improve public service delivery. Strengthening local governance and addressing citizens’ needs are crucial steps toward restoring state legitimacy in Burkina Faso. |
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| ISSN: | 2332-2039 |