Africa Works

by Patrick Chabal, Jean-Pascal Daloz

Are there social, political and cultural factors in Africa which aspire to the continuation of patrimony and conspire against economic development? In association with the International African Institute North America: Indiana U Press

Genres: Africa, Nonfiction, Politics, History, Political Science, Economic Development, International Development

Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Marissa Lemargie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was like being back in Complex Emergencies class, great stuff. While it isn't necessarily a "new" argument, the way they tie things together and present them is really well done. First book in a long time that I found myself breaking out the highlighter for sections of the book I plan on thinking more about.

[Avidreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good insights into the workings of the mind of the African political elite. Some of it quite politically incorrect but true and I say this as an African who lives in an African country and sees all this first hand. Some of the assertions may be a little off but over all a timeless work. This is one of those books I know I will come back to over and over again and will highly recommend to practitioners who wish to understand African politics and development better

[Juan Fuentes · Rating 3 out of 5]

He echado de menos más información concreta y me ha sobrado algo de retórica, pero el enfoque del libro y la información que presenta me han resultado muy interesantes.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Afrika funktioniert! Denn die Unordnung ist Teil der Funktionalität: Sie wird politisch instrumentalisiert (Klientelismus ist leichter); sie ist Teil eines verzweigten Weges in Richtung Moderne; sie wird wirtschaftlich ausgenutzt (Korruption ist leichter).
Was ich noch gelernt habe: Es gibt verschiedene Theorien zum postkolonialen Staat. 1. Der neo-patrimonialistische Staat besteht aus einer Mischung informeller Beziehungen, die starke Institutionen verhindern, und Kontrolle von oben. 2. Der hybride Staat besteht aus einer diffusen Kombination unterschiedlichster Werte, durch welche westliche Staatsformen erfolgreich an den afrikanischen Kontext angepasst wurden. 3. Der nicht transplantierende Staat hat den westlichen Staat nicht etablieren können und darum etwas eigenes errichtet.

[Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is perhaps one of the best books I have ready on African politics. The authors take a fresh and interesting approach to the instrumentalisation of power in Africa and discuss how it impacts African societies and economies. The book provides a wonderful framework with which to analyse African politics. Every scholar of African politics should read this book. Going forward, I would say that this is now my "go to" book on African politics.

[John ZIHALIRWA]

WE ARE INTERESTED IN THESE BOOKS AS STUDENTS MASTERING IN GOVERNANCE AND DEVELOPMENT IN DRCONGO. WE NEED TO ACCESS FOR READING EVEN READY TO BUY THE BOOKS OF PATRICK CHABAL