The Criminalisation of the State in Africa

by Jean-François Bayart, Béatrice Hibou

The growth of fraud and smuggling, the plunder of natural resources, the increasing use of private armie--all of these features of public life in Africa suggest that the state itself is becoming a vehicle of organized criminal activity. The three authors propose criteria for gauging the criminalisation of African states and present a novel prognosis.

Genres: Africa, Politics, Nonfiction, History

126 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another book that every scholar / expert on Africa should read. If you really want to understand the role of the state in Africa, then read this book.

[David Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jean-François Bayart, Stephen Ellis et Béatrice Hibou - difficile à ne pas vouloir lire un bouquin écrit par ses trois ensembles. La Criminalisation de l’état en Afrique ne fait que confirmer nos pires cauchemars - tout est corrompu et tout le monde est impliqué. Le chapitre sur l'Afrique du Sud, écrit par Stephen Ellis, explique que les escroqueries fait par les blancs avant 1994 ont été adopté par l'ANC après les élections démocratiques ; ou, rien n'a changé.

[Atwiine]

I live in Uganda. Every iota of the book seems like a mirror of my country. It's so strange that Africans themselves are contributing to the destruction of their own states. The "politics of the stomach" is so rampant. Quite pathetic

[Wessel van Rensburg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an important topic which way to few social scientists have addressed. Book contains a number of essays that could have been better curated and tied into a cohesive whole. Good none the less. If more than a bit depressing.

[Abraham Mutai]

good for Africa