On the Postcolony

On the Postcolony
Author: Achille Mbembe
Publisher: Univ of California Press
Total Pages: 284
Release: 2001
Genre: Africa
ISBN: 0520204344

Refreshing a stale debate about power in the postcolonial state, this book addresses a topic debated across the humanities and social sciences: how to define, discuss, and address power and the subjective experience of ordinary people in the face of power?

The Risks of Knowledge

The Risks of Knowledge
Author: David William Cohen
Publisher: Ohio University Press
Total Pages: 360
Release: 2004
Genre: History
ISBN: 0821415972

The Risks of Knowledge minutely examines the multiple and unfinished investigations into the murder of Kenya's distinguished Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Robert Ouko, in February 1990. Public and international concern over Ouko's death led to renewed attention to the extent of governmental corruption the Moi era, and brought down the government of President Moi at the end of 2002.

Regional Balance and National Integration in Cameroon

Regional Balance and National Integration in Cameroon
Author: Paul Nchoji Nkwi
Publisher: African Books Collective
Total Pages: 598
Release: 2011
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9956726265

This book presents a series of reflections by Cameroon scholars on a variety of topics associated with regional balance and national integration. The different reflections look for answers to some burning questions of the day such as: Where are we coming from? Where are we going? How are we going where we are going? Have the different state ideologies offered appropriate solutions to the quest for a strong, united, stable and prosperous nation-state? If not, what has gone wrong and why? What can be done to shape the future and accommodate the aspirations of the men and women of Cameroon and of their progeny? The book addresses the issue of national unity and national integration within the context of different political perceptions and visions. It examines the merits and demerits of the policy of regional balance of the Ahmadou Ahidjo years (1960-1982). Focus is also on the underlying flaws of this doctrine and philosophy. The debate also addresses some critical questions of the national integration policy and practices of Paul Biya, President since November 1982. The policy has failed to achieve its stated goals and has ended up in the ethnicisation and polarisation of national life. The future of the Cameroon nation-state, with its rich ethnic and cultural diversity, seems to be in jeopardy as internal forces question the management of civil society by leaders who have lost the sense of justice and equity. Why are there several voices singing the song of destitution and disappointment with the state? Have regionalism and the rhetoric of national integration and balance emerged as untenable polities within a nation-state in search of an identity and responsible leadership? These are some of the questions and issues Cameroonian and Cameroonist scholars have tried to address in this collection of 28 well-researched and outstandingly argued essays.

Ethnicity Kills?

Ethnicity Kills?
Author: E. Braathen
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 234
Release: 2000-02-11
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 0333977351

The book examines, among other issues, the emergence of civil war as a result of political struggles. The construction of Africa as the 'other' has meant that factors commonly used to explain war elsewhere have been neglected in SubSaharan Africa. The political power struggle which evolved around the state is at the forefront of the analysis of civil war and societal conflict.

Constitutionalism in Africa

Constitutionalism in Africa
Author: Joseph Oloka-Onyango
Publisher: Fountain Books
Total Pages: 368
Release: 2001
Genre: Law
ISBN:

This collection of essays brings together critical and considered responses to matters of constitutionalism in the context of the most recent political evolutions in many African countries. They are concerned with the struggles for progressive constitionalism, and review historical developments and future challenges. Some specific subjects discussed are: pan- Africanism and constitutionalism; culture, ethnicity and citizenship with reference to Ruanda and Senegal; equality, discrimination and constitutionalism in Muslim Africa; gender and affirmative action in post-1995 Uganda; constitution making in Eritrea; and the challenges of antiquated constitutional doctrines and values in Commonwealth Africa. The contributors are prominent scholars in the fields of politics, law and human rights and include Ola Abu Zeid, Antonia Kalu, Ali Mazrui, Oloka-Onyanyo and Sylvia Tamale.

Liberalization in the Developing World

Liberalization in the Developing World
Author: Alex E. Fernandez Jilberto
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 335
Release: 2012-10-12
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1134825838

Liberalization in the Developing World compares the success of liberalization strategies in Asia, Africa and Latin America over the past decade. Three models emerge, corresponding to the three continents covered, which reflect the degree of state intervention in the economy and the success of the liberalization policies adopted. The conclusions drawn demonstrate that economic and political liberalization do not have to go hand in hand. On the contrary, the case studies presented in this volume show that the role of the state can be crucial in mobilizing both the human and capital investment needed to be able to compete in international economy.

Women, the State, and Political Liberalization

Women, the State, and Political Liberalization
Author: Laurie A. Brand
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Total Pages: 344
Release: 1998
Genre: Human rights
ISBN: 023111267X

Brand focuses on three countries--Jordan, Tunisia, and Morocco--with special attention to issues such as access to contraception and abortion, labor, pension, criminal legislation, protection against harassment and violence, and the degree of women's participation in government.

On Private Indirect Government

On Private Indirect Government
Author: Achille Mbembe
Publisher: African Books Collective
Total Pages: 132
Release: 2000
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

Two hypothesis form the basis of this study. First, that development in African countries follows many models, on many time-scales; and secondly that private indirect government is taking the place of the state in controlling individual conduct. The author concludes that a new form of the organisation of power is emerging based on the control of the means of coercion - in effect, privatisation of public violence.