Voices of the People
The Voices of the People initiative developed an innovative procedure to enhance understanding of the people (the "demos") of Guinea-Bissau, through a study of popular perceptions, sentiments and practices in this West African nation.
DEMOS organized the first public opinion survey in the history of this country and made use of its findings to carry out three in-depth explorations: a data mining and statistical inquiry, a focus group study and a comparative review of public opinion in Africa. This led to the preparation of a unique book, with the participation of ten African, European, North and South American scholars from various disciplines.
The Voices of the People project required more than three and a-half years of labor and involved dozens of researchers. For all we know, no other country in Africa has carried out a public opinion study of this scope and originality.
The European Union sponsored and then censored our study, without any explanation. The struggle to overcome this surprising restriction delayed the book’s release by two years. The volume is now available on this page, but only in Portuguese. By banning the sale of book copies, the EU has hindered its wider dissemination and, in effect, blocked its publication with an academic press, in English and other languages.
Our open letter to the EU provides more information about the case and advances a set of constructive ideas to prevent infringements on academic freedom. Please sign our petition to the EU authorities. We appreciate your support.
Innovative research designed and led by DEMOS.
Access a digital copy of Voices of the People: Society, Politics and Public Opinion in Guinea-Bissau, edited by Miguel Carter and Carlos Cardoso. Available in Portuguese.
Social scientists, with African expertise, appraise the edited volume.
Brief description of the volume’s ten contributors.
The facts of the case and a call to protect academic freedom.
To lift all restrictions on the dissemination of our book.
Information on the first national poll carried out in this country.
The Research
Three studies produced under the Voices of the People project: