Between June 1967 and the end of 1973, most independent Black African states abandoned their neutral position in the Middle East conflict, cut their ties with Israel, and gave full support to the political aims of the Arab states. Since the beginning of 1974, however, and despite attempts by the Arabs to shield their new allies from the adverse effects of the 1973-74 world oil and economic crises, the alliance has begun to fragment as the African states become transformed from partners to clients and dependents of the Arabs. This study examines the roots of the African conversion, the nature of the evolving relationship between the African and Arab states, and the reasons-economic and political-for the transformation of the alliance. Basic to that transformation, the authors argue, is a fundamental change in the international status and power of the Arab states, a change that has led them to cast their lot with the industrialized "First World" rather than with the poorer, less developed countries.

Are phenomena labeled as corrupt subject to systematic social science investigation, or does corruption lie so much in the eye of the beholder as to frustrate serious analysis? The editors of this volume, which follows up an important earlier work on the same subject, hold that the comparative perspective, involving both comparisons over time and comparisons between systems, is crucial if the study of corruption is to reach the point where it can be studied as s socio-political phenomenon.

The studies of political corruption included here pertain to all areas of the world, but especially to the United States, Communist systems and Europe. Most were published during the last fifteen years, and some were written especially for the volume. Although the editors are political scientists, scholars from all social science disciplines, as well as law, history and communications, are represented among the authors of the approximately sixty selections included in this volume.

The first of the book's four parts deals with changing conceptualization and definition in the study of corruption. The second part examines the incidence of corruption in the context of political development and modernization. The third part examines the special vulnerability of some local, national and international systems to corrupt practices. In the final part, perceptions of corruptions are related to scandal and other social control efforts, as well as to studies of the effect and consequences of corruption.

Between June 1967 and the end of 1973, most independent Black African states abandoned their neutral position in the Middle East conflict, cut their ties with Israel, and gave full support to the political aims of the Arab states. Since the beginning of 1974, however, and despite attempts by the Arabs to shield their new allies from the adverse effects of the 1973-74 world oil and economic crises, the alliance has begun to fragment as the African states become transformed from partners to clients and dependents of the Arabs. This study examines the roots of the African conversion, the nature of the evolving relationship between the African and Arab states, and the reasons-economic and political-for the transformation of the alliance. Basic to that transformation, the authors argue, is a fundamental change in the international status and power of the Arab states, a change that has led them to cast their lot with the industrialized "First World" rather than with the poorer, less developed countries.

The fourteen countries in west and equatorial Africa that formed the heart of what was once France's African colonial empire - all independent now for more than four decades - still retain French as an official language, remain attached to French culture, and maintain political links with France. Each country, however, has developed its own distinctive brand of politics. Victor Le Vine traces the political evolution of these countries, exploring the elements that have shaped their particular political dynamics while allowing them to remain part of a unique francophone sociopolitical community. Le Vine's provocative discussion of topics ranging from the colonial context, political culture, and religion to ""redemocratization,"" informal politics, and international relations offers a comprehensive, unique perspective on the workings of this relatively little-known group of states.