The Political Economy of Africa

by Vishnu Padayachee (Editor)

The Political Economy of Africa addresses the real possibilities for African development in the coming decades when seen in the light of the continent’s economic performance over the last half-century. This involves an effort to emancipate our thinking from the grip of western economic models that have often ignored Africa’s diversity in their rush to peddle simple nostrums of dubious merit. The book addresses the seemingly intractable economic problems of the African continent, and traces their origins. It also brings out the instances of successful economic change, and the possibilities for economic revival and renewal. As well as surveying the variety of contemporary situations, the text will provide readers with a firm grasp of the historical background to the topic. It explores issues such It contains a selection of country specific case studies from a range of international contributors, many of whom have lived and worked in Africa. The book will be of particular interest to higher level students in political economy, development studies, area studies (Africa) and economics in general.

454 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Routledge Economics · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book was an enormously informative and enjoyable experience. I learned a great deal and I thought many of the chapters were outstanding; though very much a layperson, I liked the authors’ willingness to confront difficult topics, generally outside the framework of neoclassical economics. It's a knotty, unstraightforward take on economics in a continent where the neat straightjacket of mainstream thinking simply does not apply.

Themes explored include the way the discipline of Development Studies is framed in the US and elsewhere and how this impacts upon Africa itself, Paul Collier's abandonment of social capital, how China's Africa policy is still motivated by economic rather than political considerations (despite the suspicions of neoliberals in the west), the ins and outs of the informal economy in Johannesburg, the demise of manufacturing in Mozambique and the social context of African growth.

The book also benefits from a number of contributors based in Africa itself and the editor is based at the University of KwaZulu Natal, one of the most progressive centres of excellence for development studies in the world.