Pre-publication endorsements
'This is clearly a fabulous study - perhaps the best, most incisive, and most comprehensive treatment of African history and politics that I have seen.' - Joshua Forrest, University of Vermont, USA
Description
This is a genuinely comparative study of the different trajectories and experiences of independent African states. Following the independence of the Sudan and Ghana in 1956-7, Africans have been engaged in efforts to fashion a workable political and economic dispensation for the post-colonial era. Paul Nugent examines the record of African Socialist, Afro-Marxist and Capitalist regimes over the first two decades, and explores the retrenchment associated with structural adjustment, as well as the record of multi-partyism after 1989. Nugent also addresses the impact of HIV and AIDS, the contagion of warfare and efforts at achieving national reconciliation.
Contents
List of Tables
List of Maps
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
List of Maps
Introduction: The Basis of Comparison
African Independence: Poisoned Chalice or Cup of Plenty?
A Profile of Africa at Independence
The Shape of Things to Come: Irredentism, Secessionism and the Pan-African Ideal
Modernity and Tradition, Power and Prestige: Monarchs, Chiefs and Politicians,1956-1974
'Ism Schisms': African Socialism and Home-Grown Capitalism, 1960-1985
Khaki Fatigue: Military Rule in Africa, 1960-1985
Second Liberation: Guerrilla Warfare, Township Revolt and the Search for a New Social Order
Invasion of the Acronyms: SAPs, AIDS and the NGO Takeover
Democracy Rediscovered: Popular Protests, Elite Mobilization and the Rebirth of Multipartyism
Millennial Africa: The National Question Revisited
Bibliography
Index
'This is clearly a fabulous study - perhaps the best, most incisive, and most comprehensive treatment of African history and politics that I have seen.' - Joshua Forrest, University of Vermont, USA
Description
This is a genuinely comparative study of the different trajectories and experiences of independent African states. Following the independence of the Sudan and Ghana in 1956-7, Africans have been engaged in efforts to fashion a workable political and economic dispensation for the post-colonial era. Paul Nugent examines the record of African Socialist, Afro-Marxist and Capitalist regimes over the first two decades, and explores the retrenchment associated with structural adjustment, as well as the record of multi-partyism after 1989. Nugent also addresses the impact of HIV and AIDS, the contagion of warfare and efforts at achieving national reconciliation.
Contents
List of Tables
List of Maps
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
List of Maps
Introduction: The Basis of Comparison
African Independence: Poisoned Chalice or Cup of Plenty?
A Profile of Africa at Independence
The Shape of Things to Come: Irredentism, Secessionism and the Pan-African Ideal
Modernity and Tradition, Power and Prestige: Monarchs, Chiefs and Politicians,1956-1974
'Ism Schisms': African Socialism and Home-Grown Capitalism, 1960-1985
Khaki Fatigue: Military Rule in Africa, 1960-1985
Second Liberation: Guerrilla Warfare, Township Revolt and the Search for a New Social Order
Invasion of the Acronyms: SAPs, AIDS and the NGO Takeover
Democracy Rediscovered: Popular Protests, Elite Mobilization and the Rebirth of Multipartyism
Millennial Africa: The National Question Revisited
Bibliography
Index