Matthias Krönke, PhD student in the Department of Political Studies at the University of Cape Town (UCT) and a graduate researcher at the Institute of Democracy, Citizenship and Public Policy in Africa (IDCPPA) / Afrobarometer.

Matthias studies Comparative Politics and Political Behaviour with a regional emphasis on Sub-Saharan Africa. His research focuses on two related themes (1) the internal organisation of political institutions, and (2) the consequences of these organisations for democracy and development in Africa. He is particularly interested in how political parties respond to current challenges of connecting citizens to their governments. To address these issues, he uses a multi-method approach, combining qualitative fieldwork with statistical analysis and surveys.  

His dissertation project, “Conveyor Belts of Information: The Role of Political Parties in Basic Service Delivery in Africa” investigates the importance of political parties for citizen satisfaction with the delivery of essential services for human development – in particular education, healthcare, electricity, water and sanitation. This research has been supported by the IDCPPA and the GLD. A second stream of research assesses judicial power in Africa and implications for citizens’ perception of the courts on the one hand, and the quality of elections on the other. Parts of this research have been supported by the Democratic Governance and Rights Unit at UCT. 

Read the GLD interview with Matthias here!