Donor-Induced Democratization and the Privatization of State Violence in Kenya and Rwanda

African regimes' repressive strategies changed during the post-1989 wave of democratization. Conventional methods of coercion--targeting of the opposition by the official security forces--were insufficient and costly in multiparty regimes. Democratization enfranchised the opposition and broadened the range of political challengers to include rural constituencies and entire ethnic groups. Furthermore, human rights abuses raised the threat of international sanctions at a much lower threshold than during the cold war. Rulers in Kenya and Rwanda responded by privatizing state violence. Privatized repression allowed them to neutralize widespread challenges, while distancing themselves from political violence to minimize friction with aid donors.