An Introduction to African Politics

This fifth edition of An Introduction to African Politics is a comprehensive textbook that covers key questions about African states, including colonial inheritance, ethnic and religious identities, state collapse, one-party state failure, and electoral authoritarianism. It is organized thematically and includes a new chapter on hybrid states and electoral authoritarianism, as well as updated coverage of governance trends in the twenty-first century. The book is designed for students seeking an accessible introduction to the politics of post-colonial Africa.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 338 pages
Publication date: 30 December 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This fully updated fifth edition of An Introduction to African Politics is an ideal textbook for those new to the study of this fascinating continent. Charting trends in government over six decades of the post-colonial era, the book tackles key questions such as: How have African states made sense of their colonial inheritance? How relevant are ethnic and religious identities? Why have some states collapsed and others prospered? Why did the one-party state fail? Why is contemporary Africa now dominated by electoral authoritarian states, and not the multi-party democracies promised in the 1990s?

Key features include:

Thematically organized, with chapters exploring issues such as colonialism, ethnicity, nationalism, religion, social class, ideology, legitimacy, authority, sovereignty, and democracy;

A new five-part structure makes clearer Africa's political evolution over time;

A new chapter on the emergence of 'hybrid states' and 'electoral authoritarianism';

More coverage of twenty-first century governance trends such as China's impact, the changing role of the military, different uses of 'client–patron networks', Western conditionality, and the 'Africa rising debate';

A colour presentation of maps, photos, and data;

Boxed case studies including Mali, Tanzania, Nigeria, Botswana, Côte d'Ivoire, Uganda, Somalia, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tunisia, and Angola;

Each chapter concludes with key terms and definitions, questions, and further reading.

An Introduction to African Politics is essential reading for students seeking an accessible introduction to the complex social relationships and events that characterise the politics of post-colonial Africa.

Weight: 653g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367468927
Edition number: 5 ed