Exposing “Pluralistic Ignorance” to Reduce Youth Violence in Political Spaces

Abstract

The study was inspired by the involvement of youths in political violence in Zimbabwe. It attempted to expose pluralistic ignorance concept as a way of reducing violence in political spheres. The concept of Pluralistic Ignorance argues that there are individuals who wrongly see the attitudes and deeds of peers as unlike their own when in fact they are not. It creates misunderstandings, which ensue in relation to problem behaviours which are commonly overrated. The study followed an intensive desk review conducted along a qualitative research paradigm. The concept of anti-violence as defined by the Commonwealth Commission on Respect and Understanding was applied to underpin the analysis. The study noted that the exposure of pluralistic ignorance allowed the affected youths to be able to discern the good from the bad and make sound decisions for their participation in politics. This, if appropriately applied helps reduce youth conflicts in politics in Africa.