Dan Paget

I study contemporary political ideologies in Tanzania, Africa and the world.

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I try to​ interpret and analyse ideologies not yet properly under and sometimes not yet recognized as ideologies.

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Specifically, I critically interpret so-called populists in power. I argue that many supposed authoritarian populists construct leaders of 'the people' in elite terms. I ask whether they really merit the ascription of populism. I draw on ideas of socialist vanguardism, elitism and guardianship to analyse the half-populist half-not-populist ideologies they articulate.

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I interpret the ideologies of democratic movements in authoritarian states. Their ideas have often been dismissed as just 'democratic' or simply worth of analysis as political thought. I analyse the original and homegrown ideologies they espouse.

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I also specialise in political communication. In particular, I focus on the extraordinary importance of mass rallies. I argue that many election campaigns - in Tanzania, elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa, and elsewhere in the world - are rally-intensive.  I analyse what meanings are made at rallies by parties, speakers, audiences and media alike.

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I focus on political parties. I study how parties organise. In particular, I focus on opposition party-building. I also study how political parties cede power to private financiers to raise funds as their election campaigns become more costly.