The State in Africa
Book description
The State in Africa is one of the important and compelling texts of comparative politics and historical sociology of the last twenty years. Bayart rejects the assumption of African 'otherness' based on stereotyped images of famine, corruption and civil war. Instead he invites the reader to see that African politics…
Why read it?
1 author picked The State in Africa as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
This extraordinary book forces anyone who attempts at studying African politics during the post-colonial period (‘on the postcolony’ in Achile Mbembe’s term) as well as in the late Cold War to (re)consider the role of Africans in the shaping of post-colonial Africa. The author uses various examples to nuance the dilemma of the African state-building process. The notion of ‘the politics of the belly’ derived from a Cameroonian saying, not a Bayart’s creation, as many in the West would think of it.
From Mohamed's list on contemporary Africa and late colonialism.
Want books like The State in Africa?
Our community of 10,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The State in Africa.
Browse books like The State in Africa
5 book lists we think you will like!
Interested in Africa, the economy, and politics?
10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about Africa, the economy, and politics.