Figure 7.21: FIGURE 7.21 PHOTO ESSAY: Power and Politics in Sub-Saharan AfricaThis region has long been plagued by political violence. A long-term shift toward democratization may help reduce bloodshed as governments become more responsive to their citizens. As in other regions, the most democratized countries have had fewer violent conflicts since 1945. Nevertheless, in any country, the transition to democracy can be tumultuous, and elections are often marked by violence.