The Politics of Africa's Economic Stagnation (Paperback)

African states are not, in any real sense, capitalist states. Elsewhere, the state has played a crucial role in facilitating capitalist expansion, but in postcolonial Africa one finds a form of neopatrimonialism - personal rule - that introduces a variety of economic irrationalities. Productive economic activities are impeded by the political instability, systemic corruption and maladminstration associated with personal rule. In extreme cases, a downward spiral of political-economic decline is set in motion that is difficult to halt and reverse. Is personal rule simply a euphemism for ineptitude and mismanagement? The authors argue that it is not; it operates according to a particular political rationality that shapes a ruler’s actions when, in the absence of legitimate authority, he is confronted with the challenge of governing an unintegrated peasant society. Neopatrimonialism is essentially an adaptation of colonial-inspired political institutions to peculiar historical and social conditions. This book focuses on the political factor as an important cause of Africa’s economic ills. It analyses the social conditions impelling political adaptation and the consequences of personal rule for economic life, and surveys creative responses to the predicament African people now face.

General

Imprint:	Cambridge UniversityPress
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Series:	African Society Today
Release date:	November 1985
First published:	1985
Authors:	Richard Sandbrook • Judith Barker
Dimensions:	203 x 127 x 12mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback - Trade
Pages:	200
ISBN-13:	978-0-521-31961-4
Categories:	Books > Business & Economics > Economics > Political economy
LSN:	0-521-31961-7
Barcode:	9780521319614

Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate? Let us know about it.

Does this product have an incorrect or missing image? Send us a new image.

Is this product missing categories? Add more categories.

Review This Product

No reviews yet - be the first to create one!